modernJax

My blog brain broke

2011-11-08T10:22:00.005-05:00

Uuuummmmm...yeah....

It has been a crazy quarter, and obviously blogging (and sewing) has taken a back seat. What I *haven't* shared...

I'm the associate director of our school and we are working hard on the transition from quarter to semesters. It's madness.

It's week 10 of the quarter. Which means next week is finals week. Ouch.

I have another tutorial over at Havel's.

I think I've sewn one thing in 10 weeks. I am going through serious withdrawal. I am going to a retreat next weekend. Can't wait.

I had a skin biopsy that came back positive, and had to have a bit of surgery. Two more to go in November.

The "one thing" I've sewn in the last 10 weeks, is a Captain Jack Sparrow costume for Jaxon (and a bit of my costume, too).

Captain "Jax" Sparrow

My costume, the inspiration, and one of my students (we dressed up for class!!)

And a close up of my TARDIS and sonic screwdriver.

Swapped, 80s style

2011-08-29T21:53:00.001-04:00

My oh my, international post to New Zealand takes awhile -- almost 5 weeks! But now that I know the package has arrived, I can share!

The I Heart the 80s swap was so much fun! I spent way too much time listening to 80s music and watching clips of my favorite 80s movies on YouTube.

I received this fabulous package from quiltinkimmie:

I was so excited to get this "Sixteen Candles" wallhanging!! So brilliant! And Jaxon and I wrestled for the extras. The Kermit the Frog pillowcase is now on his bed...but I won the pop rocks! Thanks, Kimmie!

And I was excited to make for a blog friend, Viv!

It was time to cut up Charlie's childhood. Yep, that was one of his bedsheets. He gave it to me when he refused to allow me to cut into the Star Wars sheets. I thought Viv would appreciate it, along with a friendship bracelet I whipped up, a set of PacMan crayons from Etsy, and some pop-a-point pencils (my favorite 80s writing utensil).

I embroidered around PacMan and the ghosts, and then quilted the whole thing with X-es in the pellets. I hope you like it, Viv!

I also stocked up on 80s-themed crafts, just in case we needed a swap angel. The rubic's cube tissue box cover is presently on my cutting table, and the Mr. T embroidery hoop is going to be hard to part with, although I do need to do a five year blogiversary giveaway soon!

-- Post From My iPad

In a blink

2011-08-23T21:49:00.003-04:00

It's hard to believe I started this blog almost 5 years ago. And in the very first post this is the very first photo I posted of Jaxon:

And this was yesterday:

Jaxon's first day, a photo by modernjax on Flickr.

Kindergarten. My blog and my baby are all grown up.

Thanks for sticking around!

Come on over...

2011-08-21T18:16:00.002-04:00

I've been hoping you would visit!

We can snack on some fresh tomatoes from the garden. Please. And while we are at it, you can take home a few pounds of zucchini!

It's been storming off and on all day, so we can sit in the dining room and catch up. I just mopped the floors and put down a new rug. I don't know how long it will go without having chocolate milk spilled all over it, so let's enjoy it while we can.

Oh, there's the oven timer, the peach cake is done! I have an abundance of peaches getting soft, and I love a good peach dessert! Charlie isn't a fan, so eat as much as you can!

Michelle isn't one to miss a party, and she has traveled a long way, so I'll let her rest* on my SHAG WDW pillow**...

...and maybe have a drink* out of a SHAG WDW tumbler**...

...or you can stare longingly* at my SHAG WDW map print.**

Why all the domesticity you might ask? Anything to keep my mind off Jaxon's first day of kindergarten tomorrow. He's no longer a baby!

* No resting, drinking, or staring longingly on/from/at/near my SHAG merchandise please!

** SHAG (AKA JoSH AGle) is my favorite artist. The day after I returned from Disney World, I read that SHAG had produced a line of artwork commemorating WDW's 40th anniversary. He would be at the Magic Kingdom signing autographs later that week. Exactly 3 days after I got home. *sigh* I couldn't get his autograph, but Disney mail-order helped me out with some merchandise. By "helped" I mean took an exorbitant amount of my money and shipped said merchandise to me. I'm still pining for the charm bracelet and Hawaiian shirt.

Did I blog about this?

2011-08-15T21:08:00.004-04:00

Do you do that? Do you take photos of some little thing, thinking "this will be great for a post," and then never get around to blogging about it?

I do. A lot. My iPhoto is riddled with photos of events and small projects I never got around to posting. I have a folder of color corrected photos sitting on my desktop ready for blogger. But I am usually on to the next big thing.

Here's a couple of small things I came across recently that I never shared with you.

A tried my hand at making salsa verde. Our health center emailed a recipe, and because it is my favorite of the salsas at Casa I had to try it. Not as good as Casa's, but still pretty good.

I made Jaxon's friend Evelyn a bandana dress for her cowgirl-themed birthday. I used this tutorial, but modified it to accommodate a lining. After washing (which I deemed necessary due to the stiffness of the cotton), the pink bandana seemed a little thin. The other problem with pre-washing bandanas? Shrinkage. Which isn't that big of a deal, there's still plenty of fabric for coverage, but is it too much to ask that two matching bandanas shrink uniformly? I will try to get a photo of Evelyn wearing her dress, I hear from her mom she quite likes it.

I can't type the word "shrink" without typing "shrinky" and having to delete the "y." Why is that? I don't often type "shrinky dinks." Or ever. Shrinky.

Now I want to make shrinky dinks.

edited to add: I had a request from a no-reply commenter for the salsa verde recipe. Here it is -- I hope you come back and find it!

My baby!

2011-08-11T22:05:00.007-04:00

So the sneaky peek of the Accuquilt box from last post was the result of me WINNING. Yep, me and Charlie Sheen -- only my life involves a love of fabric and thread, not prostitutes and illegal drugs. Apples and oranges.

You've probably noticed Accuquilt Go Baby giveaways happening around the blogosphere. I had entered many of them with no luck. Then the stars aligned and I won Amber's giveaway. I think some Tiki spirit was helping me -- Amber lives in Hawaii.

I won the Go Baby and three dies of my choice. I selected the 2.5" strip die, the apple core die, and the Sparkle Christmas tree die. I'm going to be putting that Christmas tree on everything.

And so far I am loving it! The CMQG is taking part in the Habitat challenge, so I whipped out my apple core die. So easy, Jaxon could do it fresh from the bath!

I noticed that while the retail price is about $140, the Go Baby is about $77 on Amazon!

-- Post From My iPad

Snapshots

2011-08-05T21:50:00.001-04:00

Lots of stuff filling our days....

...including a guild meeting where I presented a design board of the new logo...

...a quick trip to the beach for me and Jaxon...

...where Jaxon stayed dry by sitting on Pops's shoulders...

...and a box waiting for me when I got home...

...which I will tell you all about this week!

In the meantime, I have a new tutorial up at Havel's....magnetic bookmarks. Please check it out!

-- Post From My iPad

Wonky Zips

2011-07-22T15:13:00.003-04:00

If I had a band I would call it Wonky Zips.

My mom made me this dress, and while I think it's super cute (almost as cute as Jaxon in his Frank shirt and briefs), the zipper is a bit defective and sticks horribly. In fact, I've only been able to wear the dress once, and haven't been able to get the zipper past the halfway point since.

I've read online to use bar soap or pencil lead to lubricate the zipper. Have any of you tried this to success? Any other ideas?

I found this video and find it hysterical.That dude isn't getting his un-lubed q-tip anywhere near that zipper.

WAIT, that's my band name -- un-lubed q-tip. Anyone want to join?

5!!

2011-07-13T16:30:00.004-04:00

My baby is 5! He continues to be an enigma wrapped in a riddle. At home he is a tornado of energy (and VOLUME); around new people he is silent. He will jump as high as he can on the bed, but put him near a pool and he becomes clingy and afraid. Apparently I am raising a bit of an introvert. But you never would have guessed it from the whirlwind of activity he and his friends produced this weekend!

After our trip to Disney, Jaxon settled on a Mickey Mouse birthday party. I might have gone a bit overboard.

Lessons learned: four- and five-year-olds don't care about handmade decorations, and the time I spent making Mickey Mouse ears would probably have been better spent making cookies -- but a good time was had by all (including my sweet Samantha who camped out by the table waiting for the kids to drop food!).

And the winner is....

2011-07-13T16:03:00.002-04:00

I slipped away for a bit to celebrate Jaxon's birthday, but I am finally back to announce the winner of the Havel's giveaway!

And the random number generator chooses #7, which corresponds to....

April (Polkadot Sparrow)

Congratulations, April! I've emailed you for your address.

Good News Giveaway

2011-07-04T09:49:00.005-04:00

You might have gathered from the above video that I have good news. You would be correct.

I am now a professional blogger! No, I have no plans to quit my day job, but I will be posting a few tutorials for Havel's Sewing. Don't know Havel's? They make great lightweight scissors and cutting tools.

My first tutorial is for my pineapple quilt from a few months ago. You remember, this one:

Pineapple Power, a photo by modernjax on Flickr.

Check out my tutorial at Havel's, and if pineapples aren't your thing, you can adapt this technique, as I did for this peacock mug rug:

Just follow steps 12 - 22 using peacock-inspired fabrics for the "petals." Download this pdf to applique the peacock's body to his feathers (feel free to email me for more in depth instructions). To complete, just add a strip of background fabric to the bottom of the peacock and back, quilt and bind. Done!

Don't feel like making a peacock? Today's *someone's* lucky day! Enter the giveaway to win the peacock mug rug AND my favorite Havel's product: Dura Snips! I wear these around my neck whenever I'm sewing – they are great for snipping threads and I always know where they are!

Want to win?? Leave a comment here telling me what you would like to see as a tutorial. Also, blog or tweet (using @modernjax in your tweet) for an additional entry (come back here and add a comment to let me know you've posted). Don't forget, I need a way to contact you if you win -- no email address means no entry! You have until Friday July 8 at 5:00 EST to enter.

Also, feel free to comment on my tutorial at Havel's letting them know you like what you see (if, of course, you like what you see!). Thanks, friends!

PS I love how the peacock finished -- I added hanging corners and used Anne Marie's all machine binding technique. Easy Peasy!

PPS Happy 4th of July! We are avoiding the crowds and planning on watching the festivities from our backyard with a campfire and s'mores! Yum!

June Photo Scavenger Hunt: The Disney Edition

2011-06-30T14:25:00.008-04:00

We've been home from vacation for almost two weeks and I'm just feeling settled in. Isn't that always the way -- back to the grind plus vacation laundry, catching up on the mail, blogs, email, and you need a vacation from your vacation!

I tried to get shots at Disney that would work for June's photo scavenger hunt. Let's see how I did!

A Childhood Memory:

Main Street and Cinderella's Castle at the Magic Kingdom

Jaxon and my nephew Marcelo with Mickey, The Polynesian Hotel

Cutlery:

Pirates of the Caribbean merchandise, Magic Kingdom

Spears at the entrance of Adventureland, Magic Kingdom (and some random dude adjusting his sunglasses)

Something beginning with "z:"

It's a Small World, Magic Kingdom

A wheel trim:

It's a Small World, Magic Kingdom (okay, not really a wheel)

Jaxon at Animal Kingdom (kind of lame for "wheel trim," but a cute kid!)

Night:

The Star Tours ride at Hollywood Studios (it's always night in space, right?)

A farm animal:

Miss Piggy, the center of attention at Hollywood Studios

Architectural detail:

Cinderella's Castle, Magic Kingdom

Tree of Life, Animal Kingdom

Tiki Room (closed for renovation), Magic Kingdom

Tree branches:

Safari ride, Animal Kingdom

Lightning McQueen and Mater Topiaries, Epcot

Elephant:

Safari ride, Animal Kingdom

Topiary, Magic Kingdom

BIL David and nephew Marcelo, Magic Kingdom

Something with your town's name on it:

A very nice cast member who didn't mind me taking a photo of his name badge, Magic Kingdom

The view right outside your door:

The view outside Cinderella's door -- I really struggled with this one, as I don't actually live at Disney World ;-)

Cheese:

Pizza Planet, Hollywood Studios

Today is our wedding anniversary -- 10 years -- but I will be back soon with a few more photos and maybe some actual sewing!

Overload

2011-06-04T20:19:00.005-04:00

We're about to enter finals week -- and not only do I have the usual end-of-the-school-year rigmarole, but I also need to have my grades done by Friday so we can leave for Florida on Saturday. And be packed and ready to go. And clean the house top to bottom for the pet sitter.

I'm trying to be laid back about it. I am not someone who is usually described as laid back.

So the blog moves down the "to do" list in these situations, which results in posts like this one -- random photos from the previous two weeks. Bear with me.

There's been....

Handmade birthday and Mother's Day gifts for my mom....

Charity blocks for the guild...

Swim lessons...

Planting flowers....

...with Jaxon....

Indecision over what to make for the I heart the 80s swap, so wasting time making extra gifts instead...

(and thought one of the kitschy SciFi buttons I've been hoarding made a perfect closure)

And, unfortunately, I only got ONE photo for the May scavenger hunt (which is totally lame as I had others planned and just couldn't get to the locations)...

I'm thinking for June I will do an all Disney World version of the scavenger hunt...although I might have to cheat a little on "something with your town's name on it." Unless someone knows where I can find "Logan" at WDW?? It could be worse!

Looking forward to some lazy days soon -- I hope you get some, too!

Keep it simple, stupid!

2011-05-20T21:39:00.002-04:00

There has been some *drama* on the interwebs about the dumbing down of quilting (just Google it). I'm a little late to the party, but as far as I can tell, there are about three arguments...

1. The modern quilt movement is just a euphemism for sloppy quilt–making.
My response: Eff that. For reals. This actually reminds me of a story Chuck Csuri tells. Chuck is a celebrated artist who specializes in computer–generated art, and I had the good fortune to work with him in graduate school. In his office hangs a framed telegram from ARTFORUM magazine that reads something like "I can't imagine ARTFORUM magazine ever featuring art made on a computer."

Shortsighted, no? And we see this in a lot of creative endeavors -- the old guard not accepting something new and different. Isn't there room for everyone? Keep doing what makes you happy. Chuck did.

edited to add -- I found the telegram online!

2. Bloggers are generating overly simple quilts to be able to post more often.
My response: If it bothers you that much, don't read those blogs. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. I *wish* I could be as prolific as some of the bloggers I follow (obviously, as I am averaging one blog post per month I do not fall in this category, but see below**), simple quilts or not!

3. Pattern designers are bilking the naive public out of their hard–earned dollars by selling basic / historical designs.
My response: Then don't buy those patterns. When I first began quilting I bought a magazine with a snowball quilt on the cover. I had no idea the name of the block, or that I could search for it online and find the pattern for free. I saw a quilt I liked, I bought the pattern, I made it (learning something new to me) and grew a bit as a quilter. Seven dollars well spent.

**So in solidarity with the modern quilting movement, the quilters who are able to make a lot of simple quilts, and the newbies who need a little confidence boost by buying a few patterns -- here are two quilts I made last month for baby showers -- simple, made with love, and appreciated.

For my sister–in–law:

A panel surrounded by piano keys. This fabric was some that I raided from my sister's house last December. I ran out of time to do a label -- Chris, I need to add that!

For my cousin:

My coveted Prints Charming rockets fabric surrounded by squares, also from my stash. The border is also hoarded Prints Charming. And cute little Jaxon hands holding it up (he's gotten so tall!)

I made a rocket–shaped label...

...and need to add Isaiah's name now that he's been born!

And this might be why it took me awhile to quilt it! That's a 20 pound cat -- I'm not that strong!

And I haven't posted in a bit because work has been cra-zazy. But I did agree to help a student with a project for another class. If you forward to 1:20 you can see me and my large lecture "bernie-ing."

Only three weeks left and then we're off to Disney World! Any advice for visiting with an almost-5-year-old??

Scavenger Hunt: April

2011-05-01T14:12:00.005-04:00

I've been meaning to take part in the photo scavenger hunt since January when I saw it at Anna's. Finally, I jumped onboard...almost. I'm shy two (and a half) photos.

a church: This is actually the chapel at OU -- as a non-denominational public university we don't have a church, but I am counting it.

a cross: Again, not a literal translation, but I think the Dogwood should count.

a sculpture: Another OU icon, this sculpture, by David Hostetler, stands outside Alden Library.

a set of keys: Obviously, Jaxon's

an interesting shop name: The Plaid Butterfly, in old Nelsonville

April Showers: We've seen too many of them this month -- lots of flooding in the area.

breakfast: I forgot to take a photo of the lovely breakfast I had with my friend Lisa, but outside the cafe was this little plate of "breakfast" for local dogs.

eggs: HHHMMMM...chocolate!

something yellow: These daffodils sprout up in the field across from our house every spring.

your camera: This is the half...I actually took this shot when I got my camera.

And the two I missed: something to mark St. George's Day and something to do with Shakespeare. Bummer, but now I have a goal of getting them all in May.

The Paper Piecing Epidemic

2011-04-22T21:10:00.004-04:00

Last night's CMQG meeting reminded me I never shared with you this piece I did for LAST month.

I did a tutorial on paper piecing, and included this in the "alternative ways to use paper pieced blocks" category. The pattern is this one, and the goldfish embroidery is my own addition.

Speaking of CMQG, fellow member AnneMarie featured me at her blog today! Thanks, AnneMarie!

Hoop Up Round 2

2011-04-14T18:42:00.005-04:00

I featured the embroideries I received in round 2 of Hoop Up here, but I never showed you what I made.

Theme: Quirky Creatures

I really wanted to do a squid for this one, and Dawn wanted it done in a monochromatic palette with charcoal. My favorite part was doing the French knot suckers.

Theme: Baby Girl Likes

This theme had a bit of 80s flair, which I was all over! June suggested rainbows, unicorns, cupcakes, princesses, etc. I dug out a piece of old stationary (which might have been my sister's, sorry Jen) and used it as inspiration.

Theme: Will Farrell Quotes

Anna Joy's husband is a big Will Farrell fan, so she requested a quote from one of his films with an image of him from that film. This one had me a bit apprehensive, but I ended up having such a good time researching and making this! I came up with a pretty good technique for taking a photo and altering it so I could trace it. I'm thinking this will come in handy for the 80s swap I just joined! The quote/image is from Blades of Glory. I had trouble deciding, but the other quote I was leaning toward is not necessarily safe for family! I can imagine that the quote I chose will bring up some uncomfortable topics anyway... ;-)

And I got one more piece to add to the mix. This beauty is by June, and is even more stunning in person.

I rearranged the hoops to make room, and now I am thinking I need to do one or two more in 4" hoops. Still deciding.

Maybe a small one on the teal linen?

My Dirty Little Secret

2011-04-10T21:05:00.007-04:00

Wa-aa-aa-ay back at the end of February, Lynz gave me a blog award -- and then I had a bummer of a March. Now I am ready to do by duty by the Liebster Award...

"Ok, then, these are the *rules*: this award is meant to highlight small blogs. So the blogger receiving the award links back to the blogger who awarded him/her, and tags 3-5 people. For those I am about to award, I should also point out there is no obligation to continue this award. If this is not your cup of tea, don’t worry."

Thank you so much Lynz! I will do my best to hold up the high standard for which this Liebster Award is known!

I would like to nominate...April (who might be having a baby as I type this), Greta, & Jenn.

Also, Oona has bestowed on my the IAAT Award. This one is right up my alley...

From beangirl: These things have to start somewhere, right? Why not me? And I mean, I figure I can operate under the time-honored tradition of believing that what is highly annoying in others is totally fabulous in oneself. Ergo, another meme with which to blatantly promote oneself whilst simultaneously irritating the crap out of everyone else. Awesomeness.

OK, so before I answer the IAAT questions, I have to share with you my dirty little secret. Don't judge me.

I love shoes.

There I said it. I recently read that the average woman has 5 pairs of shoes. This seemed ridiculous to me so I did a little research, and found this article, that states the average woman owns 19 pairs of shoes. So I counted. Not including athletic shoes or flip flops, I have just over seventy pairs of shoes.

That seems like a lot. You're not judging me, right?

1) What size shoe do you wear? If you wear a size 7, can I borrow your shoes?
I wear size 10. No you cannot borrow them, I just read that the average human sweats a cup of liquid from their feet per day. Of course, most statistics I read aren't true (see above).

2) 30s or 60s?
Can I choose 50s? Really? Then how will I decide, cause I could be this or this.

3) Have you ever kissed someone you shouldn't have?
Well, it's probably not a great idea to kiss the dog, but she's so cute!

4) Have you ever been poisoned? Was it by the girlfriend of the person you kissed?? That is awesomely "Knot's Landing".
Damnit, no! Why is my life so boring! We're more Sesame Street than Knot's Landing around here.

5) Who's on your "Celebrity Free Pass" list (top 5)?
1. Hugh Jackman...He sings! He dances! He's Wolverine!
2. Ewan McGregor...He sings! He dances! He's Obi Wan!
3. Joshua Jackson (Pacey!!)
4. George Clooney...He's the closest thing we've got to Cary Grant...
5. Lifetime achievement award: Harry Connick, Jr. Since I was in 8th grade....

*edited to add* I laid in bed last night feeling bad that I forgot David Tennant. I mean, how will he go on knowing he's not on my list. So David Tennant is number 5 and Harry is in the lifetime achievement spot.

And this award calls for sassiness, so I am passing it on to: Courtney, Lynz & Michelle! Ladies, feel free to play along or skip it! But I do enjoy your sassiness! Thanks, Oona (who might have more shoes than I do!!)

Charming Cuckoo

2011-04-06T15:49:00.001-04:00

Thanks for all your kind words about my Caravan fabric. I'm not completely giving up hope on it, just putting it away for a couple of weeks. I've got a couple of projects to start and finish in the next two weeks, so I had to get my sneak peak from last post done.

So without further ado:

Charming Cuckoo

When I saw the contest announcement for the March Moda Bake Shop Challenge, I knew it was kismet. I had just fallen head-over-heels in love with Hideaway. I quickly found a pattern on the Bake Shop called Charming Stars that seemed perfect.

The original pattern called for yardage to make the stars. I wanted to play up the gingham in the Hideaway line and I already had two charm packs. I was trying not to buy too much yardage, so I bought another charm pack. That meant getting really creative on how I sewed the stars to minimize waste, but it all worked out.

I knew I wanted to include embroidery in the quilt and was thinking I would have to design a cuckoo clock pattern. About a day later Aimee Ray released her cuckoo clock pattern. Kismet! I really drug out the stitching, which is why I ultimately missed the deadline for the contest (and somehow the linen I stitched on --originally the same white as the sashing-- became discolored), but I wouldn't love this as much without the embroidery so I am A-OK with it.

I happened to have a yard of the cute village print from the day I was introduced to the fabric, but I thought it needed a little something extra. These mini stars were just the ticket.

And I couldn't just meander around the embroidery, so I did a bit of stippling in each star and then quilted a series of chained circles in the sashing. I was thinking clocks but they look more like eggs. I'm A-OK with that, too.

Particularly because I think the quilted back is pretty cool. I talked myself into doing a solid piece of Kona for the backing -- this is meant to be a wall quilt, so the back won't be seen; Kona is cheaper than a good quality print, and little piecing means a fast backing! Now I'm really glad I did, and I'm thinking maybe someday I'll tackle a whole cloth quilt.

So Charming Cuckoo has me thinking April won't be se bad. I even got to take photos outside!

-- Post From My iPad

Don't let the door hit you....

2011-04-01T21:04:00.004-04:00

March. BLARGH. What a crappy month.

I had a couple of disappointments at work, plus the world's shortest spring break. The weather has been super crazy -- it snowed TWICE this week!

I spent a bunch of time preparing my entry for Project Selvage. Maybe I was overconfident. Maybe I should have learned my lesson after Market. Regardless, I was not selected as a finalist.

Here's my entry, "Caravan."

Not coming soon to a store near you.

And I didn't finish my March Pattern Pact in time -- which I was also planning on entering in the Moda Bake Shop March contest. BLARGH.

Here's what should have been my entry, just needs to be bound before the official photo shoot...

So far, 35 hasn't been the best.

35.

2011-03-09T18:54:00.006-05:00

I took a few days off for my birthday. I'm feeling old.

I was planning on taking a self portrait to commemorate the day. It didn't happen. See the second sentence for my reason why.

I turned 35 on Monday. The whole family stayed home, and Charlie played with Jaxon so I could sew.

I worked on my Hideaway project.

The center square is almost embroidered. Grading projects or embroidering? I know which one I would rather pick! Have I ever shown you my design wall? I upholstered two pieces of plywood with batting and white flannel and Charlie installed them as closet doors.

I also made a mug rug for the CMQG swap.

I need to do a little hand quilting before its done, but good progress was made!

I'll be back soon with some inspiration photos I took in NYC, my March choice for the Pattern Pact, and Lynz has sent me a sweet little award (It's a major award!).

OK, and I wasn't quite honest up there when I said I didn't take a self portrait. I do have one that I shot with Jaxon while he was brushing his teeth wearing his viking "helmet." I couldn't help it.

Do you Heartsy?

2011-03-02T20:55:00.004-05:00

Have you heard of Heartsy? Think of it like Groupon for the Etsy set. I've been watching for a week or two, and a recent deal caught my eye: $19 for $40 worth of merchandise at Hot Pink Chick. I've been on the lookout for some unique, Emma-worthy jewelry and this seemed to fit the bill.

My purchase arrived super quickly and was packaged perfectly! See:

And 10% off my next purchase. Bonus!

And inside...

Have you ever tried to take a picture of your own hand?

It's not easy.

And my arm kind of seems...severed.

Two rings and a bracelet for $19? Yes, please!

RAWR!! MONSTER PIN CUSHION!

2011-02-23T19:22:00.002-05:00

This weekend is the last of the month, so I thought I better get my February Pattern Pact done, especially because I have an unexpected work trip tomorrow and Friday.

I decided to make the flower pincushion from the Spring 2008 Quilts and More magazine. Go ahead, go look at it, the pin cushion is in the lower right corner of the cover.

Welcome back. Does the pin cushion look extremely large to you?

Well, it is:

That cake plate holds a 6" cake. Here, maybe this will give you a reference:

See that little pinhead? It's a large-headed pin! Huge, I tell ya!

I'm glad I got it done, though, as I fly out very early in the morning. Where am I going? I'll give you a hint. My meeting will take place here:

if the photo won't display, click on it!
This is a scene from one of my favorite films. The first to name the film and where this scene is set might just get a small thank you gift for stopping by!

I miss you all already, but especially this guy...

-- Post From My iPad

Projects Galore

2011-02-19T18:53:00.001-05:00

I really need to stop starting projects and finish something.

My ticker tape quilt is...huge. I quilted a quarter of it today, and will be headed to buy more thread tomorrow.

And I started this last weekend while sewing with some of my quilty peeps. Now if you've read my blog for any amount of time you know I loooooovvvveeeee novelty fabric. And Moda really isn't known for its novelty fabric. And therefore I don't tend to go gaga for Moda. But a few weeks ago I was in a local fabric store and came across the Hideaway line. Immediate love! Inspired by cuckoo clocks and Swiss chalets, this is my type of fabric line! I am hoping to have this done by mid-March.

And I received all of my postcards from the Fabric Postcard Swap and they are amazing! Yay!

-- Post From My iPad

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-13T09:40:00.003-05:00

I had on my to-do list two Valentine's projects. I got one done, and I am saving the other for next year, I'm ready to move on!

This pillow idea came to me while working on the pineapple. I thought I would make a Valentine's themed pillow cover to replace the retro Christmas cover. I didn't really consider my Dresden size while cutting out the petals -- with the result of a 24" pillow cover! Whoops.

I had though that by placing two red petal together and then a white (etc.) that the petals would look like hearts. I don't think I was successful on that front, but it's still a festive cover.

I embroidery the center circle with plans to needle turn applique it. I do not have the needle turn skill or patience, so I just quickly machine stitched it to the front.

A quick envelope back and I am done! All the fabric for this came from my stash -- just like Pineapple Power! The next project is almost all newly-purchased fabric, but I am trying to go to the stash more often!

Still left to go this month:

• Pattern Pact February -- I chose a pin cushion from Quilts and More Magazine
• Old Red Barn Round 9 -- ready to assemble
• Hideaway Quilt -- this is the new one. The blocks are coming together
• Style Stitches Monthly Bag Challenge -- I have everything I need in my stash for month two, just need to get around to it

Pineapple Power!

2011-02-09T20:34:00.002-05:00

I've finished the pineapples! They are now hanging at the top of the stairs, welcoming guests to our home.

I did a quick hand quilting with perle cotton, echoing the shape of the pineapple once with yellow, and again with green.

I actually labeled this one (Sacrebleu!) with an embroidered pineapple, which, as you can see, pleases Jaxon endlessly.

Or maybe it's the heart–shaped peanut butter chocolate chip cookies!

About time...

2011-02-06T11:53:00.003-05:00

I thought it was about time I did something with my Hoop Up stitcheries. I *still* haven't done anything with round one (DON"T JUDGE ME!), but I did some rearranging to make way for round two. I moved the bulletin board from over the dresser in the sewing room and ended up with...

And so you can see how my "portholes" look...

Aren't they fabulous?! Thanks to Anna Joy and Dawn!

And I forgot about one of my IKEA purchases, apparently I have a thing for towel racks.

This one is behind my sewing room door with the aforementioned bulletin board. It's super cute, only it doesn't usually look this neat. More like....

...this. Oh well.

Sign ups for Pattern Pact February end soon! I have a super cute giveaway for February, so hop on over to Flickr and sign up!

One of those weeks...

2011-02-02T10:41:00.009-05:00

Is it a bad sign that it is only Wednesday and I am already having one of those weeks? On Monday I locked my keys in my car when I dropped Jaxon off at preschool. I called AAA and they had a local truck dispatched within half an hour. I stood in the cold, windy parking lot with the driver for over an hour trying to get into my car...at which point he gave up. I didn't know they were allowed to do that. The director of the preschool drove me to work and Charlie brought my extra set of keys down when he got off work (an 1.5 hour drive). So I spent the day at work without my dress shoes (skirt and snow boots, anyone?), phone, laptop, wallet, or lunch. *sigh*

Then yesterday we had a weather change (lots of rain) and of course my sinuses FREAKED out and now I am laid up with a horrible sinus headache. UGH!

I am camped out on the couch with some work...but in between projects I get good behavior time to do handwork...

Quilting the pineapples! Yes, the sneaky peek was a pineapple! And I am planning a little block tutorial soon.

I rotate between the laptop and the pineapples, but always have the iPad for movie watching. Thanks to Netflix instant watch I have found a new favorite movie. Not in the way that Toy Story 3 and Inception were my favorites of 2010, but in the way that Mega Shark 3: Megalodon is my favorite bad movie. Mega Piranha is definitely up there. Here is an ACTUAL screen grab from the film.

Yes, that is a member of "special forces" bicycle kicking a giant piranha. This is what cheers me up when I am sick!

Also, I finished my February postcards for the Fabric Postcard Swap. I somehow forgot to take a picture of my Valentine card, but you can see it here at Julia's blog.

This is an everyday card that hasn't been received yet so keep it on the down low!

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with both work commitments and my crafty agenda. Ohio University is on 10 week quarters (for one more year, and then we go to 14 week semesters). That means from about the third week of the quarter until about the eighth week, my blog gets very little love. I'm trying to be better about that, but here we are in week five and I haven't blogged in two weeks! Take for example my recent trip to IKEA! Prime blogging material! Of course, I picked up some fabric, but also found this towel rack on clearance for $9.

I have no need to hang towels on it, but quilts? Yes please!

I don't really have a place for it, so I put it in the corner of our dining room. Probably not the best place -- quilts and food don't usually mix -- but it is at least a temporary home.

I also picked up a table for Jaxon's room so his growing Lego collection could have a home. He loves it!

I've been thinking about what I want to get done -- crafty-wise -- in the month of February. Here's the list so far...

Pineapple Wall Quilt
Valentine's "Wreath" (pieces cut)
Valentine's Pillow (supplies purchased)
Ticker Tape Quilt for Old Red Barn Co. (pieces cut, didn't buy enough backing)
Hideaway Quilt (still need more supplies)
Pattern Pact February (I've selected my pattern for this month, have you?)

Shew! I need to get on task!

Pattern Pact 2011

2011-01-28T20:58:00.002-05:00

I mentioned my resolution to sew from a pattern/book/magazine I already own once a month for the year of 2011. A couple of commenters declared a similar resolve, and Jenn has been all over the idea!

So we are organizing a sew along of sorts!

This one will be pretty low key! Each month between February and October, choose a pattern from your library and post your choice to our Flickr group. By the end of the month post your finished project! Done! Choose something simple on those busy months or tackle something you've been meaning to try.

And need another reason for joining in -- besides using those patterns that are languishing unopen in a drawer? There will be GIVEAWAYS! That's right, each month participants will be entered in a giveaway (fabric! gift cards! tools and supplies!), and those who take part for each of the nine months the pact runs will be entered in a special sponsored giveaway (just don't ask who the sponsor is -- still working on that!).

OK, so you have until February 7 to choose your first project!! Let's go!

WAIT! I almost forgot. If you'd like to post the button to your blog, go ahead and download it from this post, and link it to this post or our Flickr group. Let me know if you need help!

Sneaky Peeky

2011-01-14T10:26:00.001-05:00

We've had a snowy week, with lots of huddling around the fireplace. I've found a little time for crafting/sewing when not working or huddling.

Jaxon has been BESIDE himself over these Dr. Who paper figures I folded last fall.

I finally broke down and made some for him.

He wanted the "colorful Doctor," the black TARDIS, and a k-9 "puppy." It took me a good two hours to fold these and he has probably played with them a total of 30 minutes. At least they were a happy 30 minutes.

I've been working on a project I'm not quite ready to reveal, but I can't help showing a few process shots. Any guesses what I am working on?

Here's a hint: I am a big fan of the TV show "Psych." If you watch you should know...

And I am looking forward to a long weekend. The CMQG is having a sew-in Saturday and I am headed to IKEA Sunday. Woo hoo! I'm hoping this morning's sunrise is a harbinger of a sunny weekend!

-- Post From My iPad

Resolutions 2011

2011-01-09T16:03:00.003-05:00

This year we are all getting into the resolution spirit:

Samantha resolves to enjoy the cold weather, she hates the heat...

Jaxon resolves to practice his angry face, although he never uses it when he is angry -- it makes him laugh!

I resolve to make something from a book or magazine I already own each month. I buy them and then they languish on the shelf (or in the magazine rack). No more! Here's the first for January:

Cosmo Bag from Amy Butler's Style Stitches

My sister got me Amy Butler's new book for Christmas. This is my first begin-and-finish of 2011.

Fabric is Michael Miller's Gray Prom (and dumb dot), lined in curtains from Jaxon's nursery. The prom fabric was made for me! Perfect! Look at this young lady spiking the punch:

Too cute! This is designed by Shawn Wallace. She's my favorite and behind most of Michael Miller's novelty fabric.

The bag went together quickly -- I just wish I would have used heavier interfacing for more form.

Those are our resolutions! Oh, and Charlie? He resolves *not* to be on my blog!

-- Post From My iPad

Go Ohio!

2011-01-06T12:52:00.005-05:00

Hey gang-a-lang, just dropping in to share this video with you. Wilson Footballs is in a small town in Ohio and supplies all official (American) footballs to the NFL. I can't imagine having to turn a leather football inside out. I can barely do a cotton purse. These are some craftsmen and -women!

Back to work!

Time Warp

2011-01-03T15:00:00.001-05:00

The calendar says 2011, but I am finishing up 2010. Yesterday was my last day of vacation, the quarter began today. I got a lot accomplished over break -- lots of crafting, some work around the house, and 4 novels (and many magazines) read -- but could have used another week before facing the students.

I finally finished my Pay It Forward gifts. When searching through my blog to confirm recipients I discovered that my 365 days expired in November. I hope my Pay It Forward friends forgive me!

In each package I included:

A market tote in either pink and gray print or bright polka dots...

A small bottle of Best Press*

And not pictured...some Buckeye candy and origami wreaths. Now I can move onto 2011!

* A note about Best Press: When we visited Courtney last spring, she asked if I use Best Press. "No," I responded. "I use water. It's free."

"Well, it's really good," Courtney advised.

A local quilt shop was having a sale -- buy one gift pack of Best Press, get one free. So I've been using Best Press and I am officially a convert. Courtney, I am eating humble pie!

-- Post From My iPad

Highlights from 2010

2010-12-31T09:14:00.002-05:00

Highlights from 2010
Originally uploaded by modernjax

Some of my favorites from 2010...and I have a couple of WIPS to finish today so I can start something new in 2011 (man, that sounds like the future -- where's my flying car and cleaning robot? And while we are on the subject of the Jetsons, I will take Jane's dress as well!).

Happy New Year!

Pop Pop

2010-12-27T22:00:00.000-05:00

Just popping in and out (or apparating) during our little staycation to share a couple of awesome gifts I received for being a good girl this year!

Jaxon got mommy a gift (with daddy's help)...

...it wasn't on my wishlist...

...but the elves heard me tell a perfect stranger at Target how cool it was...

...and daddy put it together late on Christmas Eve so Jaxon could surprise mommy...

...and I decided to take photos of it with my new "photo studio in a box" and tripod (and my not-new-to-me camera). Let's see if my photography improves!

Happy Holidays to you!

2010-12-23T20:32:00.005-05:00

We have been keeping busy but finding plenty of time to relax in the modernJax household (mostly during the time I *should* have been writing christmas cards). I've been crafting away, particularly enjoying handwork so I can hang out with the family and enjoy the Christmas tree.

I finally used the last of my Scrappy Holiday Blocks.

Yes, Charlie volunteered to hold the quilt in the snow while wearing shorts and no shoes. Like last year.

I pieced the blocks into this quilt at my retreat and attempted to machine quilt the tree, but really hated it. Ripped it all out and started over with hand quilting. Much better.

I planned this as a gift, but one of the blocks bled in the wash. I'll wash it again and see if the dye comes out.

I've been making lots of treats, my usuals like Buckeyes and fudge, but also these little snowmen. The edible marker didn't work quite as I had hoped -- next time mini Chocolate chips.

I made a batch of cutout cookies and our friends Rose and Evelyn came over to help decorate. The kids had very distinct decorating styles.

Jaxon heaped as much icing as possible onto a cookie for daddy (which daddy dutifully ate) and Evie used almost no icing but a whole container of sprinkles. Festive!

And Jaxon kept going, so Santa has a *nice* surprise when he visits the house.

And while the kids decorated cookies, Rose and I decorated wreaths. I was a bad hostess and took no process photos or photos of Rose's wreath. I took a couple of quick snaps of mine the day after when I finished.

One for grandma....

...and one for...me? Anyone local need a wreath?

And finally, we took Jaxon on the North Pole Express, and he was quite excited!

His favorite part was when the conductor punched his ticket...

...but excitement soon abated and sleepiness took over.

He seems so peaceful when he is sleeping. Here's hoping a peaceful holiday to all of you, my friends!

Handmade Gifts: Retro Pillow with Flange

2010-12-16T12:00:00.007-05:00

Notice the absence of "quick" from the title? This one will take some time. I've been loving handwork lately so this was right up my alley. This isn't so much a tutorial as a "how I made this." If you'd like to make it and need more detailed instructions, let me know!

Almost forgot -- I made up this pdf if you want to play along!!

The pillow front was inspired by an illustration from a 50s Christmas card. The "hair" and the holly berries are yo-yos (I made 33 small and 6 large). The fabric is "Have a Sheri Berry Christmas" and the yo-yos are made from part of a charm pack.

Once I had a bunch of yo-yos I cut a piece of fabric 1" larger than my pillow form in both length and width. I drew a face and wrote "Happy Holidays" with a water soluble pen. I cut my holly leaves from another charm and used steam-a-seam to attach it to the fabric. Then I stitched the face, words, and around the leaves using coordinating thread (I forgot to do the words and the leaves until after I sewed it all together. WHOOPS!).

Using the rest of my charm pack, I laid charms around the outer edge until I was happy with the placement. Then I sewed them together (adding an extra charm to the end just in case)...

...ironed-on some lightweight interfacing, folded in half, and pressed.

Pinning the raw sides together I stitched along one side, starting and stopping 1/4" from each end. I did this on all four sides (joining the two ends as if they were quilt binding).

Then I took the excess at one corner, folded it together...

...and laid it flat to create a pleat. Sew over the 1/4" gaps you left to create the pleats.

I made an envelope-style back (there are lots of tutorials out there for this)

Voila! Jaxon informed me that it isn't comfortable because of the "bumps." PERFECT!

SANTA! I know him!

2010-12-14T14:31:00.006-05:00

We've been celebrating the Christmas season, making sure we also have plenty of time to relax! My goal for winter break is to do one crafty thing and one domestic thing (cleaning or baking) per day. I've been successful, but part of the problem with Jaxon being home with me is as soon as I clean a room it gets messy again!

I also haven't done Christmas cards yet, and with only 10 days til Christmas I'm not sure if cards will happen. We'll see.

We spent an evening at Franklin Park Conservatory with some friends, where we decorated cookies with Mrs. Claus, and enjoyed meeting Santa and Dasher and Dancer. I was also amazed at the entries in the Gingerbread House competition!

The nutcrackers!

The roof! (This is a gingerbread replica of the Worthington Inn)

The Grinch!

On the crafty side of things, I've had plenty to keep me busy. Two of my recent projects include...

...a sunglass sleeve for my sister (I have a bunch of pre-quilted fabric a student brought me from Japan and I'm not sure what to do with it. This was a great, if small, way to use it)...

....another yarn wreath. I wanted to make it argyle, Jaxon wanted me to wrap it in lights (and he can be persistent!) so I made felt "lights." That kid has some good ideas! More yarn wreaths to come...

...and a mouse costume for Jaxon's preschool winter program. I think it was a success, he's been wearing the tail around the house since!

Christmas Tree!

2010-12-07T16:58:00.014-05:00

A little break from the quick gifts posts...to put up our Christmas tree!

We always put up the vintage aluminum tree, but before Jaxon was born we used to have a live tree as well. Then Jaxon became a human tornado and we decided to forgo the live tree for a couple of years. Now we are back to the tradition of visiting our local tree farm! If you have never been to a tree farm there are a few things you should know:

It's helpful if you have a snowfall a day or two in advance, even if it mostly melts off.

This helps with anticipation.

When you arrive at the tree farm they most likely have different varieties to choose from.

We somehow always choose the variety that's grown the farthest away.

Select a tree cart, and make sure it is sturdy enough to hold your tree.

If it can pull a four year old you are probably fine.

It might be chilly this time of year, so be prepared to keep warm.

But maybe not by laying in a trench. Even if you are pretending to be a mouse.

Once you find your tree, carefully cut it down.

A helper can be, well, helpful.

Once you've felled your tree, place it on the cart and steer toward the baler.

A traffic director might be necessary.

The helpful attendant will put your tree on a shaker to get out the loose needles, and then send it through a baler.

Then you can throw on the car and go home!

And if you are as lucky as I am, you'll get the tree up and then spend your time cleaning up regurgitated pine needle (STUPID CAT).

I also finally got the table topper hung, yay! It's the perfect size for this wall (that I have never known what to do with because the thermostat is right in the middle), yay!

And a little sneak peek of something to come....

Quick Handmade Gifts: Quilt Block Pillow

2010-12-03T18:30:00.002-05:00

My guild had a challenge for our November meeting: use the provided Christmas fat quarter to make something.

I've had this block kicking around in my head since the first time I made this gnome. So I put it together.

But then what? I could make it into a doll quilt, but I am out of prime wall space. And kind of out of time. Quilting and binding? NO TIME! So I went for a super quick pillow. My paper pieced block has lots of seams, and I don't want too much stress on those poor seams, so first I'll protect them with some iron on interfacing.

You don't want something too stiff, just enough to keep everything together. I use Pellon Val-U Fuse, mostly because it isn't stiff and I had it on hand.

Make sure your seams are all flat, and apply the interfacing to the back of your quilt block.

Cut your backing fabric to the same size, lay your block and backing front sides together and then layer a piece of batting on either side. You should have a sandwich --batting bread and fabric in between. The batting will keep your pillow from looking lumpy. Stitch all the way around leaving a hole for stuffing.

Stuff and hand sew the hole closed.

Merry Christmas!

And if you choose to make the Santa and elves block (enlarge one paper piece pattern 150%), don't get addicted!! I ended up making Santas for my Fabric Postcard Swap!

Quick Handmade Gifts: Bee Line Cardigan

2010-12-01T08:00:00.001-05:00

This one is great for a fashionable friend/teacher/family member. I'm a big fan of Kate Spade style, but not so much of the Kate Spade price tag.

I first came across the Bee Line sweater on the "What Would Emma Pillsbury Wear" blog. Super cute, no?

This sweater retailed for $295, and even if you wanted to spend that much, it is no longer available. Here are some closer shots for detail.

Supplies:
Cardigan sweater*
Pre-made Bee Applique**
Coordinating embroidery thread (I used DMC Pearl Cotton size 8)
Basic embroidery tools (scissors, needle)

* I got my sweater from Target.com. I have other Mossimo cardigans and they are soft, keep their shape, and are a great price. I went with grey thinking it would look great over a black dress. You could go for the inspiration look with the same sweater in black, or if it's for someone really special go for some inexpensive (in the scheme of things) cashmere.

** I got my bee applique from eBay.

Method:
Follow the instructions for applying your applique. Mine was iron on. You may want to try on the sweater to get the best placement.

Using a chalk pencil or water soluble pen draw a meandering line from the bee, across the body of the cardigan and off the edge of the opposite side (the line continues around the back on Kate's cardigan, I stopped at the side seam). If you are confident with your embroidery skills, you can just free hand this. I found it to hard to draw a guide line on my sweater so I did it without a guide. Again, you might want to try the sweater on for placement. You may want to avoid any crazy loops around the bust area, unless you want it to look like the bee has circled the wearer's boobs. Up to you.

Using a running stitch, embroider over your guide line. Some hints about embroidering knits: If you need to use a hoop make sure you are not stretching or warping the knit. I found it just as effective to lay the sweater flat on a table and stitch (just make sure you don't stitch through the front and the back of the sweater!!). Don't pull your thread overly tight -- your sweater will begin to pucker. When you get to the button placket, unbutton the sweater so you don't stitch the placket shut. Knot off your thread and then start again on the other side of the placket.

And you're done! In under an hour you have a cute gift for a fashionable lady. You may want to add a tag instructing the recipient to wash on delicate or hand wash, and lay flat to dry.

Original Kate Spade Bee Line Sweater: $295 plus tax and shipping

Hand Crafted Bee Line Sweater:

$18.00 plus tax and shipping (I bought $50 worth of merchandise and got free shipping) for Cardigan Sweater
$2.75 (free shipping!) for Bee Applique
$2.49 (currently on sale for $1.74) for Pearl Cotton (I had this on hand so I am not counting it in my total, and you would use less than a yard)

Total: $21.97 (after tax)
Savings: about $275 (although that implies that I would have bought a $300 sweater, which I wouldn't)

Making a gift for yourself: Priceless (sorry for the lame Mastercard reference, couldn't help myself!)

I tried to get a shot of me in the sweater (Don't judge me, it's a gift or myself!!), but Jaxon lost part of my tripod so I am relying on Charlie for photography. Here's the before work try:

And the after work try.

At least Samantha looks good!

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-28T18:14:00.005-05:00

We had a quick jaunt to Wisconsin to visit my sister's family for Thanksgiving. The ride is long but we were treated to a trip through the Benton County and Fowler Ridge Wind Farms.

We had a yummy meal...

...and I helped my sister clean out her fabric stash. This is what I brought home.

We separated all the fabric into things I could have, things she's not sure about, and things she wants to keep. I told her she must sew *something* in the next six months or I am coming back to take the "maybe" pile.

Upon our return home, I was treated to rainbows...

...and sunshine...

Many things to be thankful for!

Quilt Retreat: Second Finish

2010-11-19T15:43:00.002-05:00

I used my Quilt Retreat as an opportunity to finish some Christmas projects that have been knocking around since last year. This is quilt #1 from my Scrappy Holiday Block Swap from last summer.

I added the maverick stars and paper-pieced trees (from last year's Quilting Arts Gifts, a pattern by Kathy Mack) and the quilting is by Margaret. All I had left was binding.

I'm loving the scrappiness and size of this quilt -- and it's backed in super soft flannel.

I'm looking forward to cuddling under this over Christmas break!

-- Post From My iPad

Quilt Retreat Part II: First Finish

2010-11-14T11:26:00.008-05:00

There was some talk at my quilt retreat that I might not be allowed back because I finished too many projects. My secret? Bring a bunch of things that are already half done!

This is the table topper I started way back here during Round 8 of Old Red Barn's Quilt Along. During the retreat, I pieced the backing, quilted it, and bound it. DONE!

Of course, I chose to take photos Friday when it was bright and sunny. Not great. Today it is cloudy and dreary, also not great for photos so we'll have to live with these.

I'm really happy with my quilting, I think I'm getting better. I echoed the applique in the dark square, drew holly in the triangles, and free motioned the bricks.

I only joined in this round because I had everything in my stash -- but I ended up buying the binding fabric. I needed something dark and didn't want to use the teal linen (didn't have enough anyway)! I think the polka dot works, although it's a little bold.

And this not-so-little guy kept trying to sneak into my pictures!

Terrible Mother: Quilt Retreat Part 1

2010-11-10T16:38:00.005-05:00

So I'm guessing a good mother wouldn't go to Quilt Market from Friday to Monday and then go to a quilt retreat the following Friday to Sunday.

I'm a terrible mother. I did tell Charlie when I left on Friday that I felt guilty and he looked at me blankly and said, "why?" I suppose that means he wasn't too upset about it.

The thing is, the retreat was held at a little backwoods resort about one mile from our house, so I spent the nights at home and only had to pay the registration fee (which also took care of all my meals).

I still felt guilty, and not only that, but also a little anxious. The retreat was hosted by the quilt shop in a neighboring town (about 20 miles away). It's a *very* traditional shop, and I had visions of being belittled for my bright colors and modern quilts. I thought I would ultimately be okay -- one of my coworkers was going and she likes bright colors too!

My anxiety was unfounded -- everyone was super kind and I saw many beautiful projects....here are a few I took shots of (there were so many more I somehow missed)....

Beautiful embroidery with 30s prints

Snowmen (in bright colors!!)

Wool Felt Santas

Amy Butler's Nigella quilt pattern in black and white with brights

An amazing double wedding ring top
And my latest obsession, paper piecing....

An incredible small hummingbird

And a circular table runner -- one circle half complete) (now on my wishlist!!)

I'll return with some of the things I worked on....

Pre-Market Sewing & a Winner!

2010-11-07T15:13:00.008-05:00

Before I left for Market, I had a few things I needed to get done. Luckily for me, we have trick-or-treat the Thursday before Halloween, so I didn't need to miss Halloween celebrations for Market.

Jaxon desperately wanted to be Buzz Lightyear (with LIGHTS and SOUND). I went the easy way out. I made him the balaclava, bought a white sweatsuit, and Buzz Lightyear wings (they pop open and closed with a button on the front) and shoes. He was thrilled.

We also carved pumpkins...well, Jaxon drew his and Charlie cut it out. Jaxon thought the frown was HYSTERICAL!

I needed to at least make some travel craft before I left -- so I whipped up an earbud holder...

BEFORE

AFTER

And I needed to get a QATW block done before I left....

....and I did two more at my quilt retreat (more on the retreat later).

But that's not why you are here! The winners....

1. Comment #12 Highway Cottage
2. Comment #1 Michelle
3. Comment #6 AnneMarie
4. Comment #4 Anna Joy

I've sent an email to our fist winner, once she makes a selection I will select winner #2, etc. Thanks for taking the time to comment!

Quilt Market: My Experience (Part II)

2010-11-05T17:00:00.004-04:00

So now that you know what I saw, and how much it cost (was that weird or helpful??) I thought I would share how I found the whole experience.

Quilt Market is pretty amazing. The people are friendlier and more welcoming than at any other conference/trade show I've ever been to. There is SO MUCH inspiration and creativity.

I went to attempt to get a fabric design contract. I got a lot of great feedback and learned so much about the industry, including the fact that the median age of quilter is 58 years old, and most people trying to break into fabric design are showing a more modern aesthetic. I was called edgy (if my students heard this they would not believe it). I did not walk away from Market with a design contract. I had a couple of art directors tell me they really liked my stuff and I should keep pushing, but I'm not too sure..

...here's my thinking. I have a (more than) full-time job that I like (most of the time), that pays well and gives me some flexibility in time (although if our new governor has his way this might change). I think the Etsy shop has run its course with me (for many reasons, if you want to know, ask). I want to be involved in this industry, and I thought fabric design would be a good fit. Maybe not.

This epiphany, and the great feedback I got on my designs was enough to make the trip worth it. Add in the AMAZING people I met, and, this trip was over the top AWESOME! It wasn't all kitty cats puking rainbows, though. In my first attempt to talk to an art director, I asked if I could make an appointment to talk about fabric design. One AD turned to another and said, "It's YOUR turn." Nice. Being told the design market is saturated with modern designers and the demand didn't warrant the supply -- that was rough. I mean, I can work harder at being a better designer, but I can't change the market. Or can I? In six years, I'll be 40 and buying modern fabric. In 16 years, I'll be 50 and buying modern fabric. Perhaps we can be forward thinking and start thinking about the market in 20 years?

My last scheduled meeting, I sat down with two art directors and said, "I scheduled this meeting to talk about being a fabric designer, but now I am not sure I WANT to be a fabric designer." They looked at my stuff and told me they liked it and I should keep pushing. We'll see.

I mentioned running in to Anna, Katy, and Brioni. I didn't get to spend enough time with these ladies!

Kathy is fabulous, and if you don't shop with her you are missing out. Did you know she has an 800 number you can call and her staff will help match fabrics and answer questions?? So helpful and she has such a great philosophy about business!

Bari J, Lizzy House, Julie, Linda, Kim, Tula, Kate and Jane were all fantastic to talk to, offered great insights and were just as open and delightful as you would hope.

I made some new friends, like Lauren, Stephanie, Heather, Melanie and Trish.

I started this blog to form connections with people who like to do the things I like to do -- I didn't have anyone in my own "live action" community to relate to in this way. I'm so happy I have lots of friends now to draw inspiration from -- virtually. The funny thing is, I traveled over 1,000 miles to meet a super talented pattern designer who lives just 30 miles away from me! WHAT?!

WHY DO I ALWAYS LOOK LIKE A GIANT?!?! Oh, wait, I am.

It was great meeting a "local" who gets why I love to sew! Yay! Go Market! And to thank you for being my friends, virtual or otherwise, I have a few giveaways. Yes, I suppose I am paying you to be my friend. Sad, but true.

~~Multiple prizes, one comment is one entry, one entry per person please. Just say something nice, make me smile, make me laugh, whatever. Comments before Sunday at 5:00 EST for your chance to win!~~ GIVEAWAY CLOSED

First name drawn gets first choice, etc. Here's your choices:

1. Serendipity Studio pattern: The Priscilla Tunic

2. Sweet Ruby Designs pattern: Cooper's Cars

3. Seven fat quarter set of Little Menagerie by Melanie Hurlston of Melly and Me for Windham Fabrics

4. Sudoku Quilt kit featuring Lovely by Sandy Gervais for Moda (this is a pack of 81 charm squares with a sudoku puzzle -- when you solve the puzzle it gives you the layout for a quilt. Or you could just sew something with the 81 charms. Like I would. If I weren't giving it to you.)

THE END

(I'm thinking of ending my posts this way. It has a nice ring to it.)

PS Sorry to do a giveaway on a post with only one photo. LAME. But I am packing up projects for my quilt retreat weekend and my camera is already packed. Wait, Quilt Market and THEN quilt retreat? YES. DON'T JUDGE ME.

Quilt Market: My Experience (Part I)

2010-11-04T17:00:00.002-04:00

featuring some photos from the exhibit floor

Tula's quilt

My decision to attend Quilt Market was kind of a quick one. After last Christmas it was announced that Heather Ross would be teaching a fabric design class at PNCA. Now, I have harbored a secret desire to be a fabric designer for a couple of years. I hemmed and hawed over the class and finally called to enroll...

....and I was promptly told I would be number nine on the waiting list. I gave hope on the class.

Fig Tree & Co.

Fast forward to a week-and-a-half before the class, and I get a call that there is space for me! Now you might remember that the trip was too expensive on short notice. I was bummed, but I had a conversation with a friend of work that was kind of a turning point. She asked, "You know how to use the software and hardware used in this class, right?" Yes. "And you have an advanced degree in design, right?" Well, interface design, but yes. "So why do you need this class?"

Cloud9 Fabrics

RIght. So I though I would save my pennies for Market instead, which, with some advanced planning, would be a less expensive trip. But it's a trade show -- to the trade only. So for those of you who have commented or tweeted about wanting to go to Market...

Oliver + S

...it's actually not difficult to get into "trade only" shows. You can approach it a couple of different ways.

1. Ask your local quilt shop if they are attending, and if you will pay your own way can you go on their credentials.

2. Go as an independent designer. This is what I did. I emailed my business card and had no problem.

3. Go as press. I'm not sure how Quilts, Inc. deals with bloggers, but I know a couple of bloggers went as press.

Kate's Quilt

Then comes the cost. Here's the breakdown.

The show itself costs only $15.00. This is amazing, I attend "trade show" type conferences for work and they are a lot more expensive than this. I am guessing the cost is low because they want quilt shop owners to come and buy. I also paid $10 to get into Sample Spree. Now, you can go to Sample Spree without paying entry, but you have to wait an hour to get in, and then they let in smaller groups of people at a time. They also have classes and school house sessions you can attend, but I didn't pay for these.

Todera

My airfare was covered by our credit card points. I think I paid a $10 fee for this.

The hotel was by far the biggest expense. Any major metropolitan area is expensive. I chose a hotel based on proximity and price. With tax and fees my hotel bill ran $500 for three nights. Ouch. Next time I will make a friend! I will say this -- I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express. It is only two blocks from the conference center. Breakfast was included in the cost, and they offered us a free "welcome" dinner on the first night. The staff was helpful and friendly, they had free Wi-Fi, and even though the hotel wasn't on the conference shuttle bus route, they offered us a shuttle van for transportations to and from! I highly recommend this hotel is you are going to be in downtown Houston!

Slice Fabrique (this is a really interesting concept -- I'm not sure if this will compete with the AccuQuilt -- the Fabrique is for applique only -- but I like how it works)

Meal prices added up, the conference center offered an over-priced food court, but you could find other less expensive options in town. I had a great Vietnamese meal at Kim Son, which was a short walk from my hotel.

The only other cost was the shuttle van I paid for to an from the airport and hotel. This is well worth the cost just for the people I met! More in that in part II.

Quilt Market: Awesomeness

2010-11-03T17:00:00.002-04:00

So there were two booths that really deserved to win awards...not that I'm second-guessing the judges...

Tula Pink

I didn't get a good full-booth shot of Tula's booth because there were ALWAYS people in it...and it was really, really rad.

The quilting on thee large scale black and white print was AMAZING. Note to self: next time stay until the end of the last day and attempt to pack everything in Tula's booth in my luggage.

Kate Spain

I want to hug this booth. It was just SO. DAMN. HAPPY.

This quilt was beautifully pieced and quilted...

...and the sun was even shining!

Some other fun things I saw...

...from Robert Kaufman...

...Hissyfitz Designs....

...Sewn Patterns....

...Melanie Hurlston's booth...

...Free Spirit...

...Echino...

...Alexander Henry...

...Anna Maria Horner...

...Hokkoh....

...Don't Look Now...

...Bari J. (and her glorious ricrac)...

...Penguin and Fish...

...and quite a few patterns I'd like from Serendipity Studio, including...

...and I just might have a Serendipity Studio giveaway in the pipeline!! Stick around!

Quilt Market Weeks 1-4: That's How It Seems

2010-11-02T14:01:00.010-04:00

I seriously can't believe that I was in Houston only Friday-Monday. It seems like I was gone for WEEKS! So over the next few posts I will feature the booth design winners, some of my favorite things I saw at Market, and my experience. So let's start with the booth design winners -- or at least the ones I got photos of....

New Exhibitor: Daisy Janie

I only got half the booth. I think there were people in the other side. Who knows.

Merchandising: Riley Blake

Creativity: Jenean Morrison

Jenean's booth was adorable!

She really deserved the creativity award...

...especially for modge podging fabric onto this bike (and the guitar). I asked her if she was worried that the bike wouldn't turn out, but she said the got it at Wal-Mart for $30 so she wasn't too concerned. AMAZINGLY CUTE!

Multiple Booths, Second Place: Blue Hill Fabrics

I took photos of this booth and accidentally deleted them. For reals. Don't worry, my shots were really boring. Unfortunately I can't find any photos to link to either.

Multiple Booths, First Place: Anna Griffin

This is the only shot I got of the Anna Griffin booth, because I liked the dog fabric. Each corner had one of these display walls so it was hard to see inside.

Double Booth, Second Place: Tina Givens

Double Booth, First Place: Amy Butler

I can't imagine how many people had to sew to make all this stuff!

Single Booth, Second Place: Sweetwater

How did I not get a picture? See it at the Jolly Jabber.

Single Booth, First Place: Blackbird Designs

And this one, too, but Barbara Brackman did!

Apparently I have something against the single booths? Maybe you will learn more tomorrow!!

Quilt Market Day 2: Overload

2010-10-31T08:09:00.002-04:00

I've been to plenty of trade shows for work. Big ones like Siggraph and E3. But for some reason Quilt Market is completely overwhelming. It took me 3.5 hours to walk all the booths, and I wasn't stopping any longer than it took to snap a few photos.

I woke up extra early this morning (thank you Eastern time), and downloaded the photos from my camera. I quickly realized that I wouldn't have time to post them today! Wow, I was camera happy! I promise to post them soon, but in the meantime here are a couple of highlights...

Lizzy House's cake party. How cute is that cake? I have to admit, I didn't taste it -- Kathy and I were on our way to lunch (name drop much?) but she is super sweet to go to the trouble, and you can see her gorgeous patterns there in the bottom right.

Amy Butler and I at her fabulous booth...we talked for awhile about her pattern co-author/drafter who shares my maiden name. Amy was super nice (as you would expect from us Ohio girls), but that's the great thing about Quilt Market...everyone is nice! Strangely I've run into three women from Ohio -- all from Cincinnati and all fabulous and met some online friends in person (like Anna, Katy, and Brioni) and shared two meals with Kathy of Pink Chalk Studio who is just as cool as you've probably gathered from her blog/shop.

I've met with one art director for a fabric company thus far, and while not a horrible meeting, she wasn't pouring over my fabric samples either. I have a few meetings scheduled for today. Fingers crossed.

-- Post From My iPad

Quilt Market Day 1: Sample Spree

2010-10-29T22:42:00.002-04:00

I got in to Houston today, checked into the hotel (which is surprisingly nice) and headed to the convention center to pick up my info. I snuck a peak at the exhibit hall floor during set up:

That's a lot of quilts. And if you look closely you'll notice....

..a booth with a car! I can't wait to hear the story about this!

I walked around downtown a bit, and hung out in the hotel until spree.

What can I say about spree? A lot of people, really eager to get into the ballroom, some good deals, but a bit overwhelming. I ended up with this:

clockwise from upper left: Moda Sudoku set of Lovely by Sandy Gervais, three pattern set from Serendipity Studio, fat quarter set of Celebrate Seuss from Robert Kaufman, charm packs of Santa's Chocolate Shoppe from StudioE, a pair of embroidery scissors, and a fat quarter set of Little Menagerie by Melanie Hurlston for Windham

Good times!

So far I've met some awesome people, not including the woman standing behind me in line for spree. She said my boot/skirt combo was odd, and apparently also believed me to be hard of hearing. HRMPF!

Tomorrow the exhibits open!

-- Post From My iPad

Fear and Guilding

2010-10-21T21:46:00.006-04:00

I made the two hour round trip drive to the Big City tonight for the inaugural meeting of the Columbus Modern Quilt Guild. What an inspiring group! Here are a few of the many pictures I took at show and tell:

AnneMarie's Elephant baby quilt (sorry it's upside down!)

Cristin's's baby quilt

Amanda's Single Girl quilt

Paula's Tokyo Subway Map quilt (finished before the quilt along ended!!)

Vicki's's Halloween quilt (a sneak preview!)

Good fun, and a good distraction to my Quilt Market preparations/terror. Speaking of which, I have abandoned my "I'm too cool for Twitter so I am going to prove its lameness by getting people to follow me without tweeting" plan. I'm going to use my Twitter account to tweet at Quilt Market. It's over there in the right column, feel free to follow.

Housekeeping:

1. Jaxon is not being a knight for Halloween -- but a good guess. I thought that's what he looked like, too!

2. When I need to laugh, I go here: A Comprehensive Glossary of Gifs. Of course I smirk knowingly at all of the Arrested Development/Office/Colbert references, and my favorite Doctor (in the comments), but for real laughs don't miss:
A. Do not want (emphatic) -- the poodle seals it for me
B. Internet Reading Expression (and variations)
C. O RLY? (var)

In the comments (Look at the Doctor again!)
A. Snuggie party time.
B. Some random dude's friend, dressed as a kiwi, falling into an icy lake. WHY IS THIS SO FUNNY TO ME?
C. Cookie Monster loves big cookie.

This might have just given you too much insight into my psyche, and now you think I'm weird. I have this to say to you:

It kills me every time.

What I've Been Up To...

2010-10-17T11:07:00.002-04:00

...includes:

a little Market prep that I'm not ready to reveal more than this:

making Creme Brulee French Toast from Sandi's recipe...

obsessing over yarn wreaths (the cheapest craft EVER)...

working on Jaxon's Halloween costume, which includes a purple balaclava (any guesses?)...

(and because he now enjoys mugging for the camera, a bonus shot):

sewing a camera strap. I love the lens cap pocket, but because I like to wear my camera across body this might be too bulky...

...and a cute little Christmas tree for my Around the World...

....and lots and lots of work. Anybody want to grade midterms for me??

Postcard Frenzy

2010-09-29T21:37:00.003-04:00

I finished my third and final postcard for the Fall/Halloween Fabric Postcard Swap. This is addictive!

The other postcards I sent through the mail as is. How exciting to pull a fabric postcard out of the mailbox! But this one has buttons. Should I risk it?? Maybe I should slip him into an envelope??

If you are interested in the Christmas version of this swap, signups are open until tomorrow (the 30th)!

Spooky

2010-09-26T15:44:00.001-04:00

Things at work have been busy, but I'm on a deadline for the Fall Fabric Postcard Swap so I needed to get sewing! Postcards can be Halloween-themed or Autumn-themed. So far I've done one of each.

One more to go before Friday!

And Charlie picked a bunch of our limes to make a Key Lime Pie. He went ahead and sliced some mini-wedges. Too cute.

The next few weeks will be extra hectic with preparations for Quilt Market and the usual work business, but I'll find something to post!

P.S. I am wearing a sweater today. Yay fall temperatures!

-- Post From My iPad

Happy Fall!

2010-09-22T14:10:00.003-04:00

It's now officially fall, although you would never know it with the balmy 90 degree weather we're having (in fact it just started pouring in that tropical weather way).

Last weekend we took a short road trip to my grandparents. During the 65 mile trip we enjoyed lovely views.

Once there we took in the sites both inside....

....and outside.

We walked through the bamboo forest...

...and marveled at the height this "grass" grows.

Great Pappaw helped Jaxon use the old water pump....

....and we relaxed by the river during lunch.

A good day!

MEGA Finish!

2010-09-17T21:12:00.006-04:00

I started this quilt way...back...here. Yes, that says January 2007. And now it's COMPLETE!

So not all of the points are perfect...or even near perfect....

...but I had fun with some funky quilting...

...and I am glad to have it off my to-do list!

Speaking of lists, I've kind of forgotten about the lists in my sidebar, both my WIPs and my books read. There is no way I'm going to remember what I've read in the interim. Perhaps I should just start over...

And please keep my friends in The Plains and Athens in your thoughts. Multiple tornadoes touched down in the area last night, causing quite a bit of damage. We only heard a bit of rumblings here with lots of rain. Amazingly no one was killed.

If you look though the linked slideshow you will see some photos of the high school concession stand, or what is left of it. A friend was sheltered inside and, again, amazingly only sustained minor injuries. The photos of campus buildings destroyed are not of my campus (OU), but of an extension campus of OSU -- who are not back in session yet for fall.

Sucker.

2010-09-14T08:00:00.000-04:00

On Friday, I noticed the next round of Old Red Barn Co.'s quilt along had begun. I took part in round one and round six, but hadn't planned on taking part in this round. There is just much too much going on. But there also seemed to be oh so many reasons to join in....

1. Size. This round is a wall quilt/table topper -- less than 3 feet square.

2. Theme. I'm a sucker for Christmas-themed anything.

3. Availability. Not only do I have everything I need on hand, but I had been lamenting the fact that I hadn't used this fabric line yet. The clincher: I seldom buy charm packs but I had one from this line, and of course this quilt calls for a charm pack.

So despite all the other crafty things I need to get done, I started another project. I auditioned colors for the inside strips today and I think I am going to go with the teal linen (from my Krakatoa! project).

Fingers crossed I have this done by the end of the week!

Life with a Golden

2010-09-12T17:33:00.006-04:00

Attention cat people: Skim through the dog portion of this post and you will be rewarded with a funny cat picture.

For those of you who don't know the joys of living with a Golden Retriever, they are friendly, cuddly, and eager to please. The downside? The double coat. Our old lady sheds her undercoat twice a year; once in the spring and once in the fall.

So twice a year we go through a ritual (besides the extra vacuuming): two days of combing followed by a bath. Here's our first day of combing:

If you didn't know Miss Samantha Belle LaRue you would think she is relaxed and calm. Actually she's shutting out the world around her. Brush time is no fun!

And all that brushing yields:

A Jaxon-sized pile of hair! Day two will yield a lot loss fur and then the dreaded bath!

But don't think Samantha gets all the attention around here! Artemis tried to relax in the box bottom while Jaxon was playing Chutes and Ladders. He's a little too big to be inconspicuous.

Once Jaxon discovered him relaxation time was over!

Despite the torment of our pets, we've had a good weekend. Friday evening we welcomed our new graduate student class with a picnic at a colleague's farm. Every year we take a hayride around the farm. This year when we stopped at the crest of a hill, another colleague's daughter decided to go for a run and Jaxon went after her.

They made it pretty far.

And Jaxon was wiped out on the ride back.

Saturday we went to a football game. This was Jaxon's first college football game and he made it until halftime. We stayed long enough to see the marching band, and as a band geek, and an alumnae of this particular marching band, that was fine by me.

Charlie worked all day today, so Jaxon and I spent the day cleaning and crafting. It's amazing how a four-year-old thinks he is the wisest person in the house. As we were straightening up his room he asked "Mommy, I can't find my goggles. I responded, "This room is such a mess, I can't say where they are." Jaxon looked me straight in the eye and as clearly as possible he said, "GOG-GLES."

Oh, that's how you say that.

Back to School

2010-09-06T19:54:00.003-04:00

I had a big to-do list for today, in preparation for the start of school tomorrow. I *really wanted to get one of my long term WIP quilts off the list. I machine sewed the binding on the front this morning, but I did not get the hand sewing done. Pictures forthcoming.

I did get a couple of things ticked off the list:

Reupholster old rocking chair to donate to Jaxon's preschool:

Fabric from IKEA.

Make a Quilt Around the World block:

Paper piecing pattern here.

Bake some zucchini bread with the sixty tons of zucchini we have from the garden:

Okay, this is banana crunch bread. I bought a bunch of bananas forgetting we already had a bunch.

"Special" Wedding Gifts

2010-09-01T21:33:00.002-04:00

How do I define a "special" wedding gift? One that is heartfelt, interesting, and easy on the wallet. As a college professor, I get invited to a lot of weddings of former students -- usually I only know one of the happy couple, and even then not too well. I could buy something from the registry (if I even know where they are registered), but it seems strangely impersonal and personal at the same time:

"Congratulations, Mr. And Mrs. Smith! Mr. Smith, you did very well on last month's final. Here's a set of towels, think of me when you are drying off."

So here is my recipe for a "special" wedding gift. Find an Etsy seller who specializes in prints that strike your fancy -- and our reasonably priced. My favorite is Jellybeans. You might recognize her prints from my Mother's day gift.

Then take your new print to Hobby Lobby (sorry international friends!). HL puts their frames on sale for 50% about every other week.

This set went to a former undergraduate student and his bride.

Notice how well our lime tree is doing? And how I need to sweep the deck? This set cost me $20 for the prints and $15 total for the frames.

And this one went to a graduate student. She and her husband have a son a little younger than Jaxon.

This was $15 for the print, $1 for the matte, and $10 for the frame.

Yay for heartfelt, stress-free gifts!

My laptop is in the shop getting a new USB port, so I have been emailing, surfing, and blog-commenting a lot less. But I have been spending a lot of time with my iPad, and now that my camera connector has come I'm about ready to write an iPad review from a blogger's perspective. Stay tuned.

And some housekeeping:

Could someone make me this sweater? I don't have $400 for a Mario Bros. sweater. Thanks.

I really want to make these cupcakes, but Charlie doesn't like mint chocolate so I would eat them all. Want to come over and share?

-- Post From My iPad

Summer projects and a winner!

2010-08-26T21:19:00.002-04:00

I have just over a week until Fall Quarter begins and I am trying to check off a few projects from the to-do list. This week:

Canning. Check.

We had half a bushel of peaches from North Carolina minus as many as we could eat in a week. I thought I would try canning with the rest. I think they were a bit too ripe, everything is a bit runny. But still edible so I put this one in the WIN column.

On the left, runny peach butter; on the right, runny peach jam.

Baby Gifts. Check.

Two coworkers had babies in August, both boys. I made a couple of simple minkee-backed blankets for gifts. Super fast and heartfelt, so also a WIN.

On the left, trucks for Riley; on the right, snails for Chester.

And speaking of wins, I "drew" a name for the Rainy Days fabric.

Eleven corresponds to Mama Bear's comment. Congrats! I'll be emailing you for your address.

-- Post From My iPad

Sunny Days

2010-08-22T08:37:00.003-04:00

I've finally finished my hexagon quilt. Most fabric is from Rainy Days and Mondays by melimba and beccabury for Riley Blake. I had a fortuitous problem -- not enough of the charcoal solid I was using in-between the hexies. I improvised some of the yellow print I had on hand to makes suns -- and that's my favorite part!

So I am calling this quilt Sunny Days. And it makes me happy like its namesake.

I used the leftover half hexagons to create a pieced back. Has me thinking of ideas for another quilt...

And I think the shape looks awesome on the back of the couch (see the cat scratcher in the lower left corner? My brother-in-law made it for us and it is worth its weight in gold! Charlie recently had to rewrap it so we could continue to have un-scratched furniture!).

I'm so excited, I want to share some of this adorable fabric line with you.

I've cut a few charms from my scraps, and there are two larger pieces of the green and umbrellas-on-yellow. Make a note in your comment if you're interested and I will draw a winner on Wednesday.

And in case you are on the fence regarding the cute-ness of this fabric, here's Jaxon modeling the scraps...

-- Post From My iPad

Krakatoa!

2010-08-12T09:54:00.003-04:00

We returned from vacation with a big to do list. I was in a car accident before we left and the body shop couldn't fit me in until this week, so I had to take my car in and get a rental. Jaxon had his first eye exam and his 4-year-old well-child doctor visit. And of course, it never fails, a string of thunderstorms came through and knocked out power.

Isn't it funny how you forget all the ways you use electricity? I thought, okay, I can't use the internet but my laptop is charged, I can watch a movie. Only the movie I wanted to watch was on Netflix, so I couldn't connect. Our stove is gas, but the ignition is electric, so we ordered pizza. With the air conditioning off it quickly got hot, I thought to myself at bedtime, I'll open the windows and turn on the ceiling fan. Right.

The good thing about our lack of electrical is I had plenty of stitching time. I've finished my inspiration piece for round two of Hoop Up. I decided to go with the porthole theme. Apparently the ship I am on is passing a volcanic island....

I chose a linen blend (color is "lake") and made lots of French knot foliage....

And did something I usually avoid -- embellished with beads. I thought a volcano at night needed some bling!

Now I need to prepare my fabrics for my teammates and I'll be ready to go!

Still vacay-ing...

2010-08-05T20:36:00.001-04:00

Only two more days to do this:

...and make these:

Found time to finish this book, SOOOOO GOOOD. Counting the minutes until the third in the trilogy comes out.

-- Post From My iPad

My Best Enemy

2010-07-30T21:51:00.000-04:00

Jaxon gave me a big hug today and said in the sweetest voice, "AWWW, you're my best enemy." I have no idea...

We've spent the week at the pool. Jaxon had his first swim lessons, and although he started the week full of fear, by the end he was willing to go down that giant water slide (the one there in the background)...

...about ten times (with mommy of course). Just in time, as we leave for the beach tomorrow. Which means I had a big to do list for the week.

I got all my work stuff done, plus:

• Made two more blocks for Around the World. The one on the left was an experiment in free piecing (I'm not sure how successful) and the one on the right, friendship stars and snowballs.

• Completed my hexagon top.

• Began ideation for the next Hoop Up. Here's what I've come up with so far. None of them are singing to me. Ideas?

Hoop Up Round 2: Portholes?
Originally uploaded by modernjax

Hoop Up Round 2: Kawaii Halloween
Originally uploaded by modernjax

Hoop Up Round 2: Tikis
Originally uploaded by modernjax

Things still to do:

• Finish packing.

• Return phone calls (really, really bad at this).

*sigh*

"I don't understand what you are talking about."

2010-07-27T20:49:00.000-04:00

Title: I am a satellite radio junkie. Half the time I don't realize I am singing along. Yesterday Jaxon asked why I was saying those silly words during an MC Hammer song. My response: Because you can't touch this. Jaxon could not comprehend why I wouldn't want him to touch me. This went on for a few minutes (like a bad comedy routine) at which point Jaxon decided he just doesn't understand what I am talking about. As matter of fact as that.

While looking for the above link to "U Can't Touch This" I totally got sucked in to watching old Hammer videos on YouTube. Stupid interwebs.

This week we celebrated a friend's third birthday. I went a bit wild with the theme, Little Red Riding Hood.

I made a tote bag from some super cute Japanese fabric...

...a little red riding hood cape (trimmed in said Japanese fabric because I was a bit short of red in my stash), with my first French seams...

...and a big bad wolf in grandma's bonnet that flips to...

...Red (with strangely long arms).

Happy Birthday, Evie!

"I use my body as a garbage can!"

2010-07-23T21:33:00.001-04:00

Title: Uttered by Jaxon during dinner. Charlie made Japanese, and Jaxon was peeling the red outer layer off of his crab stick. He tasted it and decided it wasn't trash after all.

We have been having some crazy heat, and my flowers are really hating it -- but the vegetable garden loves it!

Every day we check the garden and find 2 or 3 more zucchini. I already have 10 cups shredded in the freezer, and I am the only one in the house who will eat unless it's hidden in something else.

This is the first year I've grown Thai chili peppers. I'm going to attempt to dry them. We'll see how that goes.

And after 5 years, our lime tree is finally yielding some fruit! I'm excited for these to mature. Key lime pie? Margaritas?

And now that we survived Jaxon's birthday, I've had a chance to make an iPad cover for our neighbor, Renee...

...and finish this Project Improv triptych. They hang in our foyer, so this is the view I get when I come in the front door. Which, by the way, is much easier to do now that our front steps are done. Photos to come!

-- Post From My iPad

Doot doo doo, doo doo doo doo

2010-07-19T08:38:00.002-04:00

That was my rendition of the Super Mario Bros. theme song, which gets stuck in my head *all* the time.

And this doesn't help:

I finished this Saturday, just in time to take a shower and get to a wedding -- and this was the gift. I think the groom will love it -- the bride, not so much.

See those little tootsies at the bottom? Jaxon would not stay out of the picture.

I found the perfect polka dot for the back (so thrilling when I came across it), and I wrote the "label" in one of the white strips.

All boxed up and ready to go, I decided it needed something extra for the bride.

The first time Jaxon met the happy couple he kept running between them. Finally he stopped and exclaimed "You guys make a great bridge!" That's what the pillow says, along with a credit to I'm going to try to get a better photo today when I get to watch them open this!

The pattern for the Mario quilt is from Carolina Patchworks. It was really tedious to make, but worth it in the end.

Also, thanks for all your encouragement on the Heather Ross class. I couldn't find airfare cheaper than $600, and the total for the trip was going to be $1500, or $500 per day. So I am not going, but I have something just as exciting in the pipeline so I am trying not to dwell. And this rainbow popped up after I made the decision it wasn't going to happen, I like to think confirming my decision.

-- Post From My iPad

Progress, Angst, and Events

2010-07-10T20:39:00.002-04:00

I mentioned a while ago that we are attempting to improve the curb appeal of our house. The next step is new steps (ha!). Last week the front of our house looked like this :

A 4 year old's fantasy come to life!

Now it looks like this:

Progress! It has regularly been in the 90s this week, so I've been providing our "working guys" (as Jaxon calls them) with lots of popsicles!

A few weeks ago, I visited Cincinnati to see a concert with a friend. On the way back home I stopped at the outlets and got a great deal on this lamp -- with no shade. I spent about a week waiting for the perfect funky-fabulous-but-not-overpriced lampshade to find me. It didn't happen. So I headed to town armed with a coupon for JoAnn and came home with an adhesive lampshade. I pulled a few fabrics from my stash and let Jaxon make the final decision. He chose the octupus print by Heather Ross.

I just happened to have orange ball trim in the closet. The lamp was the finishing touch to this little corner of my sewing room. The dresser is a craigslist find painted orange (the last few pulls are somewhere in the garage). I'm quite pleased...

...but not about THIS news, and apropos that Jaxon chose Ms. Ross's fabric...You may remember back in January when I babbled on about Heather Ross teaching a fabric design course. When I called about the class it had already filled. I got on the waiting list, but with only 18 spots in the class, and me being 9th on the list, I hadn't given it any more thought (or saved my pennies).

Fast forward to two weeks before the class starts, and I get an email telling me a spot has opened up. Oh, I can't tell you the emotional roller coaster I am on! The dreamer: Fabric design as a career is a dream, and to learn from the master, WOWZERS! The practicalist: Airfare and hotel two weeks before an event?!? MUCH too expensive. So I'm torn. Had I been anticipating the trip, and planned ahead for travel, I'd be packed and ready to go...but I have had a good distraction:

...this not-so-little guy turned 4 yesterday. It's hard to believe! Today was his party, and we are all recovering from sugar shock!

-- Post From My iPad

"Take Me To Your Meter!"

2010-07-07T21:07:00.001-04:00

Title: what Jaxon believes aliens say.

Whenever I travel I get the urge to make something to take along. I decided I *needed* a bag that would fit my laptop, iPad, dSLR, etc. This one fit the bill...

...almost too well. I overfilled it and popped the cheapy grommets. Totally fixable. I had bought the fabric for a table runner, but it seemed too perfect for a trip to Louisiana. I think I will still have enough for a runner.

I have lots of projects going on right now. I've probably overdone it in the gift department for a wedding I'm attending in mid-July, and Jaxon's birthday party is this weekend. But I did find the time to make the next block in the Quilt Around the World Bee. This one is a little out of my comfort zone, but I thought an Ohio Star would be appropriate.

-- Post From My iPad

Basin Street is the street where....

2010-06-21T16:44:00.002-04:00

...all the crazies come out to play! OK, the first part is a lyric from a song, the second is just my interpretation.

My first evening in New Orleans was spent eating an excellent oil-free seafood dinner and walking through the French Quarter. I saw some things that I think I am too young to see...and I didn't want to embarrass my colleagues by taking too many photos.

I only snapped the view from my window...

...which includes my first glimpse of the mighty Mississippi. In the foreground you can just make out the roof of Harrah's Casino....

...which is massive. We walked through today on our way to the conference and saw a sea of video slot machines.

During our sojourn through the French Quarter, we glimpsed Jackson Square...

...and watched the art of cigar rolling.

Finally, we strolled down the famous Bourbon Street. It was a strange mix of historic residences, rundown buildings, flamboyant gay bars (Napoleon's Itch was my favorite), and strange strip joints.

But by far the best part, the true heart of NOLA...the music...

-- Post From My iPad

"Sugary Timbers"

2010-06-19T20:50:00.008-04:00

Jaxon has adopted the pirate tongue. Unfortunately he only gets "Argh" correct. The rest comes out to a close approximation -- including "Sugary Timbers" instead of "Shiver me timbers." Close enough.

I wanted to use a different quote from this week but I thought it might be offensive without some background. We were driving around town and kept noticing signs for a hog roast at the local Catholic church. Charlie read one out loud. Jaxon, always full of questions, asked "Why is that Catholic jerk having a hog roast?"

And today he called my friend John "Jina." Long I. Nice.

Anyway, we were driving around town because we were looking for a parking spot -- this weekend is our town's summer festival. The Washboard Festival promotes the only working washboard factory in the United States. And it's right here in Logan, Ohio. Lucky us! To celebrate, the town is decorated in laundry.

Yes, people, this is where I live. We did discover something we didn't know about the town -- Logan used to have a theatre. A group is trying to get it renovated -- it's apparently been shuttered since the 70s. Step one is to get the building bought by someone who would like to renovate. In the meantime, they were letting people walk through. A little spooky, but it has a lot of potential. Jaxon was enjoying the full stage and orchestra pit.

And that was our pre-Father's Day celebration because I am leaving tomorrow for a conference in New Orleans. I've never been so feel free to send me lots of suggestions for places to go, things to see, and, of course, food to eat! I've made a travel bag, but I haven't had a chance to take any snaps. I do, however, have something crafty.

Last time I teased you with part one of this makeover....

Michelle spied the Liberty of London fabric. Good eye! Target marked off all their Liberty clothing 75%. I got a dress and summery shirt, both super cute and about $12 together. I came across a second dress that I knew would be too big, but for $7.50 I couldn't say no.
This is what it was supposed to look like:

Here's the reality:

The top is too big, it makes me look "puffy," and it's about two inches too short. So I took in the top and lopped off the bottom. Leaving me with this:

The skirt is new, too, and made by mom. I *wanted* to wear it with my red heels, but that lasted for about two seconds with this bum ankle...

"I can't go to sleep until Daddy gives me the clap."

2010-06-09T20:28:00.003-04:00

Yes, Jaxon calls high fives "claps." And last night he couldn't sleep until he got a high five. Or "the clap."

Lovely.

All my work projects are coming to a head, and I had one of those days yesterday...

My ankle is still swollen so I am still slogging around in the flattest shoes I can find. I was getting Jaxon situated in the car and I slid on some gravel. I skinned up my knee and now it is nicely black and blue (Jaxon's reaction: "Mommy, WHY would you fall down?" Yes, I choose the silliest times to fall down.) Then as we were making our way into the house, one of the eyelets on my dress caught on a drawer pull and ripped.

*sigh*

I had scheduled to stay home today and have used the day to do only things that appealed. So it has made up for yesterday.

This week I have found a little time to work on last month's Bee blocks...

And I made a super quick purse from some surprising fabric...

I'll share more on this soon!

"My eyes aren't made of see!"

2010-06-04T17:30:00.000-04:00

The title: Jaxon's response to my suggestion he watch where he's going.

And apparently my hands aren't made of sew, because my mojo is waning. Maybe it's because we are rapidly approaching the end of the quarter AND I have two project deadlines looming. Regardless I don't have a lot to show....

...just this update to my May giveaway. This is what I included in the totes...

...and I made two blocks for the Quilt Around the World, this one for Mel...

..and this one for Terrie.

Otherwise it has been work, work, work. I even had to mark all my Reader blogs as read because I was overwhelmed by all the unread posts. But we did take a break to celebrate the old lady's thirteenth birthday with some ice cream. Happy Birthday Miss Belle LaRue!

-- Post From My iPad

Your results, but first a message from our sponsor

2010-05-20T20:49:00.007-04:00

You'll get your giveaway results -- but first you must read my post! BWA HA HA HA!

I've decided to sell custom iPad sleeve in my Etsy shop. I'm thinking about phasing out the baby stuff (the diapers and wipes cases for sure), and this iPad cover has been one of the most popular things I've ever made. The idea of custom appeals to me -- that way I don't have to keep a lot of stock in my shop!

I made a Half-Life sleeve for a friend at work, and I wanted to get a shot of both of them together. Unfortunately I don't have two iPads, so I attempted to take the photos at work after I delivered the sleeve. Lighting in our building is HIDEOUS.

The funeral parlor look...

...or the dirty radiator look.

Neither really appeals. *sigh*

But I have fabric to cheer me up! I won a Sew, Mama, Sew! gift certificate a few weeks back, and when I saw the anniversary discount code I jumped on some deals. After I applied the gift certificate, I spent $1.50 on...

Not pictured: this cute pattern!
And a close up of the doggies so you can see them in all their glory!

OK, you've suffered enough! The winners of the giveaway are...

SMS Giveaway:

Which corresponds to:

Appreciation Giveaway:

Which corresponds to:

I'll be emailing you both! Thanks to everyone for entering!

"Mothers are all slightly insane."

2010-05-18T08:00:00.001-04:00

(Quote from J.D. Salinger)

Looking for the SMS Giveaway post? Look here. But you should read this post first, it's pretty okay. Are you a regular reader and want to win something? Look here.

My insanity was rewarded this Mother's Day with some lovely gifts including....

...an adorable apron from SIL Chris...

...and a bouquet from SIL Kathleen.

I don't usually have fresh flowers in the house because the cat becomes OBSESSED, so I have been keeping these in the sewing room with the door closed. It makes me happy whenever I walk into the room!
Charlie got me the entire set of video game quilt patterns from Carolina Patchworks...

...and Jaxon (via daddy) got me this sweet print by Jellybeans.

I had a gift card left from my birthday and I decided to buy a little giftie for myself, only I couldn't decide so I ended up with two new pairs of shoes...

...unfortunately my ankle isn't quite well enough to tempt the fates with heels, so these are living in the boxes for now. And I will obviously wear the matching pair once I am able!

But it hasn't been all generous gifts-to-Beth around here. I completed Courtney's block for Quilt Around the World, inspired by a tree in her inspiration fabric.

Happy Holidays!

SMS Giveaway Day

2010-05-16T15:02:00.004-04:00

Thanks for entering, the giveaway is now closed!

Welcome SMS guests to my giveaway post!

I am giving away a reversible tote, made of Amy Butler home dec fabric, containing a few surprises of the fabric/sewing variety.

Here you see both reversible sides of the tote in question. I'm tricky like that. Or I just made two.
Rules? Leave a comment with a way to contact you. No Reply Commenters who don't leave an email address will be disqualified.

Oh, and if you have been here before and left a comment on any non-giveaway post during the last six months, enter this one, too!

Appreciation Day

2010-05-16T14:48:00.005-04:00

Thanks for entering, the giveaway is now closed!

Monday is SMS Giveaway Day, and I am doing a giveaway here, open to anyone. But I also wanted to thank those of you who take the time out of your day to regularly visit my blog. I hit 200 posts in April but haven't had a chance to celebrate.

I am giving away an identical gift to my SMS giveaway -- a reversible tote, made of Amy Butler home dec fabric, containing a few surprises of the fabric/sewing variety. BUT, this giveaway is only open to those of you who have commented on a non-giveaway post in the last six months. Yes, you can enter both giveaways, you just can't WIN both. Details, details.

So, this one is only for my regular bloggy friends!! Good luck!

Am I always behind??

2010-05-12T07:37:00.006-04:00

I have recovered from what became a horrible cough and sinus infection AND my sprained ankle...but missing three days of work means I am playing catch up, and the way things are going I am not going to get caught up before the end of the quarter.

Awhile ago I started the next round of the Old Red Barn Co Quilt Along. I haven't participated since the first one, and this time it's hexagons which I haven't done before.

I diligently followed along the first week, and came up with this:

Uh oh. Those six triangle should make a hexagon. Apparently not all 60 degree triangles are created equally.

So it took me a bit, but I got a new ruler, cut the triangles down so they were truly 60 degrees, and added a strip of fabric to the bottoms so the triangles are the right height.

And now I am only three weeks behind!

But to cheer me up, this came in the mail!

Isn't it GORGEOUS?!?! This was the pay it forward from Lynz!! I had admired this pillow when she posted it with no idea it would show up at my house! Thanks, Lynz!!

And I'll post again soon to share our Mother's Day, but I will preview that post by showing you these Dahlia brooches I made.

I started with this tutorial, but instead of gluing all the petals I hand sewed them. I think it was much faster than waiting for all that glue to dry!

"Your arm is dead, it needs a nap."

2010-05-04T06:03:00.000-04:00

I think I'll start using quotes from Jaxon as my title. The above was said today while he was pretending to be the doctor. Not The Doctor, just a doctor. Speaking of The Doctor, I am officially addicted. I have two episodes of Flash Forward and two episodes of Fringe to catch up on, but I keep watching Doctor Who on Netflix.

Anywho....thanks for the well wishes. My ankle is healing well, I'm barely hobbling at all, but I've developed a horrible keep-you-up-all-night cough.

Despite this, I made a great big delivery to the post office yesterday. I sent off the invitations to a baby shower I'm hosting and a blanket for a good friend to give to a good friend...

Don't worry, it didn't snow this week -- this is an old picture!

...as well as my April blocks for the Quilting Sisters Bee.

I also sent out my very last Hoop Up embroidery for Jessica's "under the sea" theme...

Although I was a bit under the gun there at the end, I really enjoyed this swap. I'm looking forward to seeing all my Ed Emberley–inspired embroideries on the sewing room wall.

But there's always another beginning, and I've joined the Quilts Around the World Christmas edition. Each member selects a block or theme and the other members add a block until you have a quilt. I sent this one out yesterday:

My theme is Whimsical North Pole. Members can choose to make this block, or another inspired by the North Pole.

So it looks like I can make good progress when I have to stay off my feet! Gotta go call my mom -- it's her birthday!

"Bring up the gimp."

2010-05-01T11:12:00.004-04:00

Thursday night was our undergraduate awards banquet, and as I walked to my car I stepped in a low spot and turned my ankle. I felt something pop and promptly sat on the curb for a couple of minutes. Realizing that at 9:00 at night there was probably no one coming by to save me, I hobbled to the car and drove myself forty minutes to our house. It's my left foot -- not great when you have to work the clutch!

I got up early Friday so I could get it x-rayed on my way into work. Diagnosis: I *might* have broken the tip of my fibula. It's apparently hard to tell. Either way, I'm supposed to treat it like a sprain and stay of my feet.

To add insult to (literal) injury:

Charlie has a cold (and generally is allergic to housework) so the house looks like a bomb went off -- of course, besides a runny nose, Jaxon feels fine.
I have a sore throat, cough, and laryngitis, so I sound lovely.
I still had to go to work for our faculty meeting on Friday.

But I did come home in the early afternoon Friday and spent the rest of the day like this:

Finishing my second-to-last Hoop Up! and watching Dr. Who on Netflix.
I was able to finish Corinne's embroidery last night, and started my last one this morning. Looks like I might be on time!

I also tried to get a better photo of Jennie's circles, but life wasn't cooperating....

If you're looking for me I'm camped out on the couch!

Final Stretch

2010-04-28T18:56:00.005-04:00

We're now in the last few days of the Hoop Up swap -- and I have two left to go (and my April Bee block, and my hexagons, and my new Bee...).

I spent a little longer on this one than I intended (it's 15" square!!) but it was so much fun. Jennie asked for various size circles in one color. I went with green.

I tried out some new stitches, but I never want to take the time to look them up so I just made them up as I went.

Things have been pretty crazy at work, and Charlie has a cold that I am getting (always at the most inconvenient times!!). And to top it all off, the other morning Jaxon came into the bathroom while I was showering and said he made a mess in the sewing room. Uh oh.

He decided he wanted to "make art" and found his paints (on a shelf I thought was too high for him). This is what I found:

Don't worry, it washed right off.

Found Time

2010-04-18T17:15:00.001-04:00

I had a rushed week in preparation for speaking at a conference Thursday, but a big project deadline got pushed so I had some "found time" this weekend.

I managed to finish another Hoop Up embroidery...

...and I made progress on my next inspirational wallhanging (see Love and Luck).

This morning Jaxon was playing in his room, singing at the top of his lungs, "I'm gonna break break break your heart." Over and over...watch out ladies (or gentlemen, I don't judge).

Could he secretly be listening to country music??

-- Post From My iPad (sitting in my car in the driveway while Jaxon naps. BOO-YAH)

Inspiration

2010-04-16T13:39:00.007-04:00

I saw this block and fell in love. And she calls it a failed attempt...

Christina pointed me toward the book with the pattern, and it's not something that I would have *ever* picked up without seeing Christina's version of the block.

I found a used copy on Amazon, and I have actually found it quite inspiring! The medallion quilt is there, but I find Christina's version so much more inspiring....

...but these solid fabric quilts are beautiful just as they are....

And there are a few more that are on my radar for future projects. But before I get to them....

...my planned Roy G. Biv quilt needs to come to fruition....

...and I should probably do something with these prints I got with my birthday gift certificate...

...and my Bee blocks are starting to arrive, so I will need to do something with them.

Plenty to do...perhaps I should get started...

Happy iPad Day...er...Easter!

2010-04-04T13:14:00.001-04:00

My neighbors were nice enough to sign for my iPad so it was waiting when I got home last night. I'm planning a longer review for crafty bloggers (I might wait for this cable), but in the meantime I though I would try blogging from the iPad.

The photos were taken with my camera and transferred using my laptop -- which is why I need that cable -- but all photo editing was done on the iPad.

The post was written using a blog editor app.

Only one problem: I shouldn't have made the case until I had the iPad in hand. It's a little snug!

-- Post From My iPad

Luck

2010-04-02T20:31:00.005-04:00

My sewing machine Yahoo group does challenges each month, and I decided it was time to take part. Last month's theme was going green -- either in color or by using recycled materials. I went with the former.

"Luck" is made like "Love," free style piecing and free style letters. This time I used a paper piecing template for the shamrock.

I was a tad bit short on the fabric for the binding so I added a strip of white and added french knot "polka dots."

I'd like to make this a series of three to hang in our foyer. Let's hope I get #3 done more quickly -- it was over a year between "Love" and "Luck."

But before I can start that, I have a couple of project in the pipeline. The next Old Red Barn Co. Quilt Along is hexagons. I will use this:

And the UPS man is bringing me a gift tomorrow, and I am sure I need to sew something in welcome.

One Down....

2010-03-31T21:06:00.006-04:00

Another great thing that came from our trip to Texas -- a kick in the pants from Courtney. When I started listing my WIPS and mentioned one that only needed the binding hand sewn she looked at me with disbelief. "But that's one night of work!"

This quilt has been in the making for almost a year. I sewed the binding on and took it to the beach last July with the intention of doing the hand sewing while I basked in the sand. Didn't happen.

And then we got home and summer ended, school started, and more exciting projects reared their heads. And a boy needed to be played with.

Apparently Courtney is faster at binding than I am. This took me more like three nights.

But it's done and crossed off my WIPs list. And it's spring!

Too much work, too little craft

2010-03-29T19:37:00.006-04:00

Today was our first day of spring quarter, and tomorrow is my first day teaching for the quarter. I needed a break from prepping my classes and realized I hadn't shared these with you.

March is my month in my quilting bee, and I selected this paper pieced circular geese block. I really enjoyed making it (more paper piecing coming soon), but I realized after I took the picture that the bottom arm of the star is a bit off. I'll rip it apart one more time!

And I took part in the Feeling Stitchy embroidered button swap. This was too fun! My partner mentioned liking science, so I stitched up these science-themed buttons.

After spending Friday night at a double feature of Back to the Future and Hot Tub Time Machine, everything in my life is 80s themed.

In return, I got this super sweet package (*ahem* the chocolate is nearly gone!!) with these adorable buttons.

Thanks, Charity!

I'm teaching my usual two classes this quarter -- one I love (although I've had to change it drastically to accommodate a doubling of enrollment) and one I dread. Guess which one I still have to prep this evening?

Souvenirs

2010-03-25T08:18:00.002-04:00

Do most people bring home fabric as souvenirs of a vacation??

I do!

Courtney and I hit up a few Austin quilt shops, with some excellent clearance sections...

Clockwise from top left: Blooms, some Halloween prints, a print each from Pop Garden and Katie Jump Rope, and some Eric Carle prints.

....and we came up with an AWESOME idea for a simultaneous challenge using these fabrics as a jumping off point.

Two rainbow prints from Timeless Treasures and, for my challenge quilt, orange Katie Jump Rope and red something with no selvage.

And when one fabric-aholic visits another, the stash infects them both. Courtney sent me home with some of hers.

A funky skirt I'll be wearing as a capelet, a retro vintage sheet, and my infatuation with Christmas prints continues.

I did come home with some "finished" souvenirs. My favorites:

Three Mexican glass bracelets from El Mercado, and THE BEST fabric bag made by Benjamin. I'm hoping it will fit my new iPad.

Warning: Loads of photos ahead

2010-03-23T15:53:00.006-04:00

We had a great time on our trip to Texas!

We hit all the tourist haunts in San Antonio, including the Riverwalk, the Alamo...

The Crockett Hotel is actually *behind* the Alamo.

....the Witte Museum...

A Mexican textiles exhibit included beautiful embroidery and my Fiestaware dishes.

...and Hemisfair Park...

San Antonio has some amazing public art.

...which includes the Tower of the Americas.

The Novak Family finally feels short!

Then on to Austin where we had the best time hanging with Jay, Courtney, Maya, and Benjamin!

Dork alert! We are comparing our favorite upcoming fabric lines in our jammies.

And we left the house to get Cupcakes....

Hey, Cupcake!, where they actually give you FREE WHIPPED CREAM!

...and then walked the cupcakes off at Zilker Botanical Gardens....

Jaxon really wanted to be one of the big kids. We keep having to role play -- I'm Maya and he is Benjamin.

...where we had a beautiful view of the skyline.

And next I'll share a couple of things that came home with me! More photos at Flickr.

New San Antonio Rose

2010-03-17T21:19:00.003-04:00

We've made it to Texas, and the weather is pretty awesome! We headed down to the Riverwalk for dinner. I'm sure it's beautiful -- but what a mess of people! Our hotel is on the North Riverwalk and it is much quieter and less populated.

Here's Jaxon at the entrance to our hotel....

The rental car place was short on cars (San Antonio?? Spring Break?? Really??) so we are now toolin' around Texas in a Grand Marquis. Big state? Check! Big car? Check! Alamo, here we come!

Skirt No More

2010-03-14T19:33:00.004-04:00

Thanks so much for your nice words about the skirt. I thought the length was barely okay with tights, but I was hoping for a year-round skirt -- and in humid Ohio weather leggings are not a year-round garment!

I wore the skirt to work on Thursday and I had a couple of problems. It would ride up slightly, making it more than a little too short, and I chose to use home dec weight fabric for the contrast so the pleats would NOT stay closed. By the end of the day I looked like a crazy cheerleader.

So before I could change my mind I ripped apart the skirt and reassembled the main parts into a bag (Thanks to Michelle for the idea!!). I wanted to grab a couple of pictures before I carried it to work tomorrow, I'll try to get a shot later while wearing it for scale.

I kept the invisible zipper on the back so I could open the narrow top of the bag, slide in my laptop, and close it back up.

Just in time to take on the airplane this week! We leave Wednesday for a spring break trip to San Antonio and Austin. That is, of course, if I have my students' final projects graded by Tuesday. It's hard to concentrate around here, Jaxon desires constant attention. In fact, he is lounging in my lap as I type this.

And just to prove my point, as I was trying to plan our trip to Texas on the phone with Courtney, I let Jaxon "decorate" me.

My student turn in their projects tomorrow morning. Wish me luck!